Friday, 06 March 2020
Sir Denis Follows CBE recognised 50 years since ban lifted on women’s football
It’s been exactly fifty years since the ban on women’s football was lifted and the man behind the official letter from The FA is being recognised for his contributions to the world of sport.
Sir Denis Follows CBE will be posthumously inducted into the University of Nottingham Sport Hall of Fame on Tuesday 24th March – the night before arguably the biggest day on the university sport calendar, BUCS Big Wednesday.
An English graduate of the University of Nottingham, Sir Denis Follows went on to become one of the UK’s most influential sports administrators, serving as Secretary of The FA from 1962 to 1973 and Chairman of the British Olympic Association from 1977.
He is perhaps best known for penning the official letter that lifted the ban on women’s football, opening a pathway for the women’s game to grow into what it is today, a move that saw him later appointed an honorary life vice-president of the Women’s Football Association.
Follows was also a stoic figure throughout the infamous Moscow Olympics campaign of 1980 in which he resisted pressure from then Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher to pull out of the games in protest of the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. Follows moved to allow Great Britain athletes to decide for themselves whether or not to compete, eventually leading the team to Moscow as Team Commandant.
University of Nottingham Director of Sport, Dan Tilley said, “Sir Denis will be our twelfth inductee into the University of Nottingham Sport Hall of Fame and someone who epitomises what it means to be part of that legacy. During his time at the University it was clear that he was someone who would go on to make a powerful impact, but I don’t think anyone could have predicted how widespread that impact would be. His influence in women’s football particularly is something that lives on today both here with the growth of our own women’s football programme, but also with the success of the professional game. He was a much loved and respected figure within sport, often speaking up for those without a voice and standing up to adversity. We’re proud to call him an alumni of the University and to be able to preserve his memory here in our Hall of Fame.”
Sir Denis will be our twelfth inductee into the University of Nottingham Sport Hall of Fame and someone who epitomises what it means to be part of that legacy.
During his time at the University of Nottingham, Follows had already begun to display the makings of a great leader, elected as President of the National Union of Students between 1931 to 1933. He went on to teach English at Chiswick Grammar School where he became affectionately known by students and staff as ‘Perce’. He was a popular figure, coaching cricket out of hours and playing himself for Old Meadownians where he excelled as a bowler, taking many a wicket at Chiswick House grounds in London.
He later took up a position as a teacher in the RAF – unable to take part in active service due to being partially sighted. Following the war, Follows served as General Secretary of the British Airline Pilots’ Association between 1947 and 1966, and was instrumental in founding the International Federation of Air Line Pilots’ Association, also serving as the organisation’s Secretary for a number of years.
In 1967 Follows was awarded a CBE and in 1978 he was knighted for his services to sport. He passed away in September 1983 aged 75.
Sir Denis Follows will be inducted into the University of Nottingham Sport Hall of Fame during the BUCS Big Wednesday Launch Dinner on Tuesday 24th March at the East Midlands Conference Centre at University Park in Nottingham. His daughter Margaret Ferris will receive the award on his behalf.
The University of Nottingham Sport Hall of Fame was first introduced in May 2017 to celebrate and recognise the inspirational sporting achievements of the University’s alumni. Previous inductees include; Dr. Kristan Bromley, Deryck Murray, Liz Nicholl CBE, Chris Wyles, Campbell Walsh, Annie Panter, Tim Baillie, Etienne Stott, Robert Clift, Dr Deng Yaping and Dr Tim Brabants.
Notes to editors:
About the University of Nottingham
Ranked 32 in Europe and 16th in the UK by the QS World University Rankings: Europe 2024, the University of Nottingham is a founding member of the Russell Group of research-intensive universities. Studying at the University of Nottingham is a life-changing experience, and we pride ourselves on unlocking the potential of our students. We have a pioneering spirit, expressed in the vision of our founder Sir Jesse Boot, which has seen us lead the way in establishing campuses in China and Malaysia - part of a globally connected network of education, research and industrial engagement.
Nottingham was crowned Sports University of the Year by The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024 – the third time it has been given the honour since 2018 – and by the Daily Mail University Guide 2024.
The university is among the best universities in the UK for the strength of our research, positioned seventh for research power in the UK according to REF 2021. The birthplace of discoveries such as MRI and ibuprofen, our innovations transform lives and tackle global problems such as sustainable food supplies, ending modern slavery, developing greener transport, and reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
The university is a major employer and industry partner - locally and globally - and our graduates are the second most targeted by the UK's top employers, according to The Graduate Market in 2022 report by High Fliers Research.
We lead the Universities for Nottingham initiative, in partnership with Nottingham Trent University, a pioneering collaboration between the city’s two world-class institutions to improve levels of prosperity, opportunity, sustainability, health and wellbeing for residents in the city and region we are proud to call home.
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