Sylvia Gore made history in 1972 by scoring the first goal for the England women’s national team in their first official match, a 3–2 victory over Scotland. With a football career spanning 60 years, Sylvia contributed to the game as both a player and a coach. Sylvia continued her work as an advocate for women’s football, becoming a football development officer for Knowsley Council, which helped transform opportunities for girls in the area, laying the groundwork for future generations. The Sylvia Gore Cup is more than a tournament. It’s a celebration of her legacy and passion for giving every girl the chance to play football.
The football tournament brought together 10 teams from all corners of Knowsley to Volair Halewood, the teams represented the best of the North and South leagues. The tournament saw some excellent and well-fought battles. The two teams that emerged as the top were Millbrook and Saints Peter and Paul. After an unforgettable final, Millbrook Primary School lifted the 2025 Sylvia Gore Schoolgirls League Cup, beating Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Primary School 1–0 in the final game. Millbrook Primary School has put its name in the history books as the third team to win the competition, alongside past champions Plantation Primary (2023) and St Andrew the Apostle (2024).
Special guests included Sylvia Gore’s cousins, Steve Gore and Jeanette Tree, who were in attendance, along with two of her former teammates and original England Lionesses, Sue Whyatt and Pat Davies. Sue and Pat took part in a Q&A with the young players, sharing unforgettable memories from their time on the pitch. The event also welcomed a familiar face to fans of the women’s game, former England international and TV pundit Sue Smith, who shared that she had once been coached by Sylvia herself.
A huge well done to all the teams, players, coaches, and supporters who made this year’s Sylvia Gore Cup such a fantastic celebration of girls’ football. Your energy, passion, and sportsmanship are what make this tournament so special. A big thank you as well to all the organisers, referees, volunteers, and staff behind the scenes – your hard work and dedication brought the event to life. We’re already counting down to the 2026 tournament and can’t wait to see even more unforgettable moments on the pitch!
Find out more about the tournament here.
