Letting your light shine: football in the 1980s as a black woman with Pauline Braham

England is the host country for the UEFA European Women’s Championship Final Tournament 2022. Bramall Lane in Sheffield is one of the venues for games hosting three group games as well as a semi final and to mark the event Sporting Heritage and FURD – Football Unites, Racism Divides (furd.org/) – chat with former Sheffield Hallam United player Pauline Braham to reflect on her playing career in the 1980s as a black woman.

Pauline reflects on how the racism she faced in football, sometimes very subtle, was reflective of inequality in wider society, but how the solidarities forged with her teammates also created positive experiences and memories of the game she continues to love.

Pauline also shares her hopes for the impact the European Women’s Championships coming to England might have on the women’s game in the UK as well as more widely in society.

A Youth and Community Worker by training, Pauline works with FURD in her home city of Sheffield, a youth and social inclusion project and charity that works locally, nationally and internationally to combat racism and increase understanding between different communities. FURD believes that football brings people together and adds social value to society.

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You can also listen to this episode and other oral histories on our Soundcloud channel: