‘Trailblazer’ for women’s football in England painted by David James

“There were so many people there,” Sayell said. “We didn’t really know what was going on.”

However, on her return home there was no paparazzi. Instead, she was banned for three months and the team’s manager, Harry Batt, was banned for life.

Despite this, Sayell went on to become a founder member of the Arsenal women’s team and continues to support women’s football today.

“It’s so great to see all the young girls with their football kits on now, because I was the only little girl that had a football kit where I was from,” Sayell said.

Now the footballer is being honoured with a portrait by ex-England goalkeeper David James as part of the BBC series Extraordinary Portraits, in which artists depict people with powerful personal stories.

“To be chosen to be part of it, like with Mexico, it’s a surreal moment,” Sayell said, beaming.

While many know James for his 572 Premier League appearances and playing for England, Liverpool and West Ham, to name a few, he has also been painting for two decades.

His previous work includes a portrayal of England’s World Cup-winning captain Bobby Moore accepting the trophy from Queen Elizabeth II.

James called Sayell a “trailblazer” and a “pioneer” of women’s football.

He hopes people will see the portrait and learn about Sayell’s story, explaining he respected “all the sacrifices that she had to go through in an era where women’s football was not looked after”.