FOOTBALL is now more popular among girls than ever – and women like Michelle Haselden and Karen Pearson are a big reason for that.

And to because of their work to make the sport more accessible to girls at Mobberley CofE Primary School, they have been recognised by the Football Association.

Michelle and Karen, who both work in the office at the school, have won a Let Girls Play award, which recognises a growing community of people championing equal access to football for girls.

What started out as the pair organising training sessions, securing a kit for the school’s teams to wear and finding them tournaments to enter has now grown into more than 50 girls a week playing football at Mobberley Primary, with many trophies and medals secured.

They were even invited to Wembley Stadium to receive their awards ahead of the recent Women’s FA Cup Final between Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur.