It is two decades since a tenacious group of England footballers broke new ground to reach the quarter-final of the Women’s World Cup for the first time ever.

Progressing through a group containing the eventual winners Norway, Canada and Norway, the Lionesses of '95 came unstuck in the last eight when they lost 3-0 to Germany.

And those pioneers of the game from 1995 are about to stand shoulder-to-shoulder again on Sunday 9 August 2015, this time against FA Women’s Premier League champions Sheffield FC Ladies.

Distinguished 2010 World Cup final referee Howard Webb will be among the officials as current England assistant coach Marieanne Spacey, former skipper Gillian Coultard, renowned goalkeeper Pauline Cope-Boanas and a host of other Allstar legends pull on their boots again.

The first-ever FA Women’s Premier League Charity Trophy is at stake, but there is more to the day than that as the feast of football will also raise funds and awareness for Breast Cancer Care.

"While there is an obvious serious side to the event, I’m sure the characters involved will make it a hugely enjoyable day for all involved," said FA WPL chairman Carol West.

"This charity match will see our Champions Sheffield FC Ladies play against proven stars of the past which is not only a great privilege for them but for the rest of us that will be at the match too."

Sheffield boss Helen Mitchell was diagnosed with breast cancer seven years ago and says the help she received from cancer charities was invaluable.

"One in seven women in this country will be affected by breast cancer – that’s the equivalent of two in every football team," she said.

"I was diagnosed with breast cancer and it was the biggest shock of my life, and something I wasn’t prepared for at all".

"Although physically, I was very fortunate and just needed an operation and radiotherapy treatment, I was surprised how much it affected me emotionally and having the support that cancer charities offer was so helpful."

Mitchell, 45, has since gone on to steer Sheffield FC Ladies to the top tier of English football and her side will compete in The FA Women’s Super League Two next season.

And she says her players are looking forward to getting back out on the pitch after their WPL championship winning exploits so will relish the chance to compete against England’s legends.

"It’s such an honour to be playing against some of the players who have represented England over the years," she added. "They are responsible for moving the women’s game on so much in this country to the position that we have today."

The Allstars line-up includes:-
1. Pauline Cope-Boanas (goalkeeper, 60 England caps, inductee into the National Football Hall of Fame)
2. Debbie Bampton MBE (midfielder, 95 England caps, captain at the 1995 Women’s World Cup, inductee
into the National Football Hall of Fame)
3. Brenda Sempare (midfielder, played all of England’s 1995 Women’s World Cup matches, inductee into
the National Football Hall of Fame)
4. Kerry Davis (striker, ex-semi professional footballer in Italy, 82 England caps and 44 goals)
5. Gill Coultard (midfielder, ex-England captain, 119 caps, inductee into the National Football Hall of Fame)
6. Tara Proctor (midfielder, 20 caps)
7. Marieanne Spacey (striker, 91 caps, inductee into the National Football Hall of Fame, current England
assistant coach)
8. Clare Taylor MBE (defender, also played cricket for England in the World Cup)
9. Kaz Walker (striker, 83 caps, 40 goals, inductee into the National Football Hall of Fame)
10. Danielle Murphy (midfielder, 20 caps, was England’s youngest player)
11. Sian Williams (midfielder, ex-Arsenal captain, ex-Wales manager)
12. Rachel Stowell (McArthur) (midfielder, ex-Fulham professional)
13. Vicky Exley (midfielder, scored for England in the 2007 Women’s World Cup)
14. Jo Broadhurst (midfielder, made her England debut aged 16)
15. Alex Cottier (defender/midfielder, ex-Arsenal and Croydon player)

Sheffield FC Ladies v England World Cup Allstars
2pm, Sunday 9th August 2015
Knights Lane, Stratford Town FC
£3 for adults
£1 for U16/Concessions

Supporters can follow us on Twitter now @FA_WPL to RT updates and adverts for the day.

Terry Bullen