Kicking Off

Kicking Off: Dick, Kerr Girls, based off a true story, it's a wonderful story, that delves into a forgotten ladies football team from the first world war. It's extremely well researched and an absolutely fascinating read.

Ah this was so cute and heartfelt, I would have loved this when I was growing up and really into football. It is set during world war one, around a family of four and a munitions factory. Hettie has just started to work at the munitions factory near her home, as the men head off to war, including her brother Freddie who has been called up. At the factory, Hettie meets lots of women also working who take her under their wings in the dangerous, exhausting environment.

The women at the factory are all connected by their love of football. Hettie played with Freddie when she was younger but now her Dad frowns upon it, and doesn't want her to play. When the women challenge the men's factory team to a game, Hettie helps her team win.

This is a really heartwarming story - I loved the family dynamics, and all of the great female role models Hettie gained in her life. I liked Hettie's friendship with her brother Freddie a lot. Overall I am glad I received an arc from netgalley for this book which was such a great surprise for me!

This captivating book is set during World War 1, in Preston, England and is based on a true story It is a beautiful book about courage, passion and following your dreams. Hettie, who has a brother fighting in the war, works in a local munitions factory, Dick, Kerr and Co. She forms powerful relationships with some of the woman in the factory, who create a football team, even through there are barriers in their way and disapproval in abundance.. The reader is taken on a journey back in time and it is a privilege to get to see this era through Hettie's eyes and experience her world.

Thank you so much Eve Ainsworth for this book - I will definitely recommend it to my class. Thank you Net Gallery for the ARC. it was a privilege to read it!

I'm not really a fan of football or historical fiction but I had read and loved other books by Eve Ainsworth, so gave this a go and I was very glad that I did. This story is so engaging and realistic, the characters are incredibly believable and complex and it wasn’t long before I was rooting for Hettie and her friends. Hettie has the usual family problems for 1917; her beloved 16 year old brother has gone to war, her father is very strict and traditional in his beliefs, especially when it comes to his daughters and her mum is a housewife.. Doing her bit for the war effort, Hettie begins work at the munitions factory Dick, Kerr & Co. and this leads to her being instrumental in the creation of a women’s football team. She overcomes many obstacles from people believing that women have no right to be playing 'the beautiful game' but also receives support from unexpected places and in so doing develops confidence in herself. I love that this was based on a true story and it’s encouraged me to find out more about these courageous women who stood up to society to play the game they loved.