This Sunday will mark 35 years since a Thatcham girl was told she could no longer play in her school’s football tournament. Nicky Bedwell had helped take her team at St Mary’s C of E – in which she was the only female player – to the finals of the Primary School Cup in 1989. But on March 3, a letter was sent to the then 11-year-old girl’s home, informing her parents that she could not compete in the penultimate game. This was due to FA legislation stopping girls from playing in competitive fixtures. The school’s letter read: “I am afraid that Nicky will not be able to take part in further matc…
