Women’s football explored through the lens of Manchester photographer

The Women’s World Cup is only a few weeks away, and following on from European triumph, the hype surrounding England’s Lionesses has spiralled. The transition from players being relatively unknown to becoming celebrities almost overnight is astounding, with an ever-growing fanbase as the countdown to Australia and New Zealand begins.

One person who has witnessed the change in the women's football ether is Manchester photographer Madeleine Penfold. She spoke exclusively to MEN Sport about her rekindling passion for the sport and its remarkable rise from a unique perspective.

“I think I must have been like nine or 10. I just remember this disposable camera in the back of my dad's car. He said 'don't touch that camera'. And I was like, 'touch the camera,'" said Penfold laughing, “I was obsessed with it. From the get-go. I was obsessed with that camera,” stated the 30-year-old, Prestwich local.

A football fan as a child, growing up awe-inspired by Manchester United's Class of ‘92, Penfold admitted she lost her pull to the sport, refusing to succumb to the hostile fanatics: “Growing up I just became completely disenchanted with football because I actually started to see it for what it was and I didn’t see myself in that space.

“Then these guys from Soccer.com came into Manchester because they had a shoot with Roberto Firmino. They needed a photographer, so they reached out to me and I was just like, 'yeah, why not?' Turns out he couldn't really speak English. I couldn't really take pictures of footballers. So we just ended up laughing at each other,” said Penfold, highly amused.

“About two years after working all around Manchester and London for men's teams. I was quite proud of my portfolio with Real Madrid, [Manchester]