Sylvia Gore: A football pioneer in England and Wales

Her first training session with Wales’ 18-strong squad was on the morning of her first game in charge, against France in Bordeaux, following a 24-hour overland journey.

Wales lost 6-0 in France and a 7-0 defeat later that year against hosts Italy – a semi-professional side – in the Women’s World Invitational Tournament was a stark reminder of how much catching up there was to do.

Gore had been appointed by Wales on an initial 12-month basis, but she would remain in charge for over 10 years and her enthusiasm for the role – despite a lack of resources – remained steadfast.

“It’s hard work but I enjoy every minute of it,” Gore told the Liverpool Echo in 1989.

“Unfortunately we haven’t enough clubs in Wales to form a proper association, which might help to attract sponsors, so we have to pay all our own expenses.”

Players not only had to pay their travelling expenses, they even had to pay for their own caps.

Gore would also make substantial financial contributions from her own pocket.

“When Sylvia came in we used to train one weekend in north Wales and the following weekend down in south Wales,” Adams added.

“That would happen quite regularly over a six-week period.

“If we had an international away somewhere we were billeted in people’s houses, not hotels.”

Wales had faced the Republic of Ireland at Llanelli’s Stebonheath Park in their first game in 1973 but were not affiliated with the Football Association of Wales at the time.