Nettie Honeyball and the First Women's Football Match – A Legacy Born on March 23rd 1895

Our Inspiration

On 23 March 1895, history was made on a football pitch in Crouch End, London. A group of bold, forward-thinking women gathered to play what would go down as the first official women’s football match in the UK. However, it wasn’t just a game it was a powerful act of defiance, ambition, and self-expression. Leading the charge was Nettie Honeyball, a true pioneer and the inspiration behind our brand.

Who Was Nettie Honeyball?

Nettie Honeyball, was a pseudonym used by the founder of the British Ladies' Football Club. However, historians speculate that her real name could have been Mary Hutson. Unfortunately, we will never know for sure as her real name and identity has been lost to the unrelating passage of time. The fact that Netties real identity is still unknown has inspired us to keep her legacy alive. We think it allows all of us to take on her name to keep her legacy and her movement alive. Just like in the tale of Spartacus we all have the opportunity to stand up and say that I am Nettie, No I am and so on. 

Nettie honeyball was more than just a player she was a trailblazer. In the face of social norms and criticism, she believed passionately in a woman's right to play football and to be seen as strong, capable, and independent.

She organised the British Ladies' Football Club in 1894, making headlines and sparking debate across the country. But more importantly, she created space where none had existed. She sent a signal to women everywhere that they, too, belonged on the pitch.

23 March 1895: The Match That Started It All

The game took place at Crouch End and drew a crowd of around 10,000 spectators. Two teams, North and South, took to the field in woollen bloomers, high-necked blouses and long socks. The North won 7-1 but more important than the score line was the message: women could play football, and they would.

Though ridiculed by parts of the press at the time, the match marked the beginning of a movement that would, over a century later, lead to packed-out stadiums for the Women’s Super League and a global celebration of women in football.

Nettie: Inspired by History, Made for Today

At Nettie London, we honour the legacy of Nettie Honeyball with every product we create. Our fragrances are bold, expressive, and built for movement. just like the women who took to the field in 1895.

The courage it took to lace up those boots on 23 March is the same courage we bottle in every scent. Whether you’re heading to training, match day, or just owning your space in the world, Nettie is your signature.

We at Nettie London are going to be looking for charities and local clubs to sponsor as a way of giving back and truly supporting the movement that Nettie Honeyball started all them years ago, so if you are a club looking for a sponsor and a charity in need of a partner please do contact us and lets make something special happen as a community.

Why This History Still Matters

Today’s players stand on the shoulders of pioneers like Nettie Honeyball. Understanding the origins of the women’s game helps us appreciate how far it’s come and more importantly how far we can still go.

This is more than a story from the past. It’s a call to action for the present. To be bold. To break boundaries. To play your game.