“We always knew this season was going to be one of transition for our first team,” wrote Alan Sefton, former Head of Arsenal in the Community, in 1988 – with Arsenal Ladies having a mixed set of results amidst some progress in the cup.
However, it was the reserve team that beat all expectations, despite most of them only playing 11-a-side football for the first time, with several high-scoring wins.
Sarah Ryan and Michelle Curley were amongst the first players in the 1987-88 season, and the pair reflected on that groundbreaking era of women's football.
"It was an amazing experience to be able to play football for a women's team, when most of my younger years I had only been able to play with the boys," said Sarah. "We had a great team spirit and everyone supported each other, especially as we were only 15 when we started.
"Being part of the first-ever Arsenal ladies’ team at 15 years old was amazing," continued Michelle. "It was the first set-up of its kind in that a top professional club was willing to accommodate and support a women’s team.
"I was born and bred in Islington. I started attending a girls’ football session at the JVC sports centre, adjacent to Arsenal Stadium, when Vic invited me and Sarah Ryan to a training session for a women’s team that he was trying to introduce at the club."
During these early stages, there were no professional contracts or salaries, and 90% of the team worked full-time during the week. Training would be reserved for late weekday evenings with matchdays on Sundays.
"In 1989, the local government wanted to introduce a Youth Training Scheme (YTS) in partnership with the club and Islington council. I was now 16 and leaving school and was lucky enough to be offered the first position in the scheme as a trainee, earning just £35 per week!
"We attracted players from all over the country and our success grew, as we started to win leagues and our first FA Cup in 92/93. The whole journey was amazing. I went on to make my England debut at 19 in Belgium with the senior team and travelled to some fantastic places, doing something I loved so much, not for the money but for the love of the game."