It was during the last World Cup in 2007 that I got into watching women’s football, writes DAVE HENNESSY. The fast pace, free scoring and fit South American girls got me. I also liked the absence of the play acting that now plagues the men’s game. I hate watching Cristiano Ronaldo hit the deck and roll around on the turf like, well, a girl. Under the management of England ladies’ legend Hope Powell, England performed well in China. In Kelly Smith they had one of the best players in the tournament and the three lionesses were only eliminated by America who have always been heavyweights in the ladies’ game. Powell’s ladies bettered that performance in last year’s European Championships, going all the way to the final where they lost to the Krauts 6-2. “I haven't got over our European final defeat last year,” Powell revealed. “And I don't think I ever will. The silver medal we received is hanging up in my office, but I refuse to touch it. I don't go in for second best. I've been in this job for the past 11 years now and I'm still learning, every single day, searching for the 1% that will make the difference.”

            Her West Indian mother didn’t understand why her little girl wanted to kick a ball around. It was her brother Gary, now drummer with Dirty Pretty Things, that got her out playing on the South London streets. Before long Hope was better than all the boys. She was just 11 years old when she started her impressive career with Millwall. She then made her debut for England at 16. The attacking midfielder played in England’s first European Championship, where they reached the final and lost out to Sweden, and their first official ladies’ World Cup in 1995. She won 66 England caps and scored 35 international goals. She spent nine seasons with Millwall Lionesses as well as playing for Fulham and Croydon. She won the FA Women's Cup three times and capped an excellent playing career by winning the League and Cup double with Croydon.

            Powell was appointed as the first ever full-time national coach in 1998 and was also the first female to manage an English national team of either sex. She studied alongside Stuart Pearce to become the first woman to achieve the UEFA Pro A-licence, the top coaching qualification in the sport. As well as managing the England Senior team, she oversees the whole youth set-up including a coach mentoring scheme.

            Powell was awarded an OBE in 2002 and a CBE just this year in recognition of all her work to improve the standard of women`s football in this country. For the last six years football has been the number one participation sport for girls in England and with viewing figures for the last World Cup touching three million the game is obviously growing in support. A lot is different from when Powell played. "When I was playing I had to buy my own kit," she says. "I slept on a gym floor the night before an international – so I know how much the game has moved on.”

            Last year a number of the England ladies’ team were awarded central contracts to help them concentrate on full-time training and playing. It is hoped making the ladies professional will prevent losing more of their top players like Kelly Smith and Karen Carney who have gone to America to play in the Women's Professional Soccer league. But a number of Powell's squad still have to juggle family and work with playing for their country. "You have to applaud that," she says. There are also plans for the ladies’ games to be played in the summer, when clubs won't have to compete for attention and spectators with men.

            It was speculated that Powell would become the first female manager in men's football when she was linked with the managerial role at Grimsby Town F.C. in October last year. The League Managers’ Association said “Why shouldn’t she? Hope has done a fantastic job with England, but I’m not sure the FA would want to let her go.” Powell herself shared her thoughts: “I think the world of football has to accept that women are qualified to be part of the game. We have some fantastic female coaches, not only in England but across the world, and we should be respected for putting the work in to gain those qualifications. Sometimes I’m not sure we get that credit.I don't get frustrated but it is still a man's world unfortunately. Which isn't good is it? It should be a woman's world, right?"

            Hope Powell is the first black manager of any English national team. Has she experienced racism? “I remember one game when I was quite young and someone referred to me as a 'black bastard'. My teammate went absolutely berserk. Later when I was playing for England in Croatia this boy, he was only about 12, made a Nazi salute at me. I couldn't believe it but I didn't react.”

            The Millwall crowd roared Powell’s side to a 1-0 victory against Spain when she returned to The Den for a World Cup qualifier in April this year. "Playing at Millwall will be special to me on a personal note as I started my career there and I still know people at the club.” Powell revealed. “The home crowd will be vital.” Like a female Mick McCarthy, Hope has gone from the Den to managing a national team. Her England ladies won their qualifying group with a brilliant record.

I am sure her grit and determination will make them serious contenders at next year’s tournament in Germany.

(Images: The FA via Getty)