Open, Heaven

The story of female footballer Florrie and the amazing hidden history of the women’s game come to life in this debut graphic novel about football, friendship and falling in love. 'Beautifully drawn and very well written' ALISON BECHDEL'If you put Alison Bechdel's Fun Home in football kit, you might come up with something like Florrie' ZING TSJENGWhen Florrie’s great-niece discovers Florrie was a footballer in the early twentieth century, she unearths a secret history both on and off the pitch. Boxes from the attic contain photos, objects and letters, revealing football games and love affairs in Norfolk, London and Paris. Florrie’s adventures touch on both invented and real events: huge crowds at matches in London and Preston, international fixtures, dances at lesbian club Le Monocle in Paris, and the devastating consequences of the FA's 1921 ban on women's football. This is a story of self-discovery, friendship and queer love, alongside huge (and little known) historical moments for the women’s game. In Florrie, Anna Trench brings readers a beautifully drawn, evocative and warm-hearted love-song to an unforgettable woman and sport. 'Bright with the feeling of liberation, and the risks and joys of following your heart' SEÁN HEWITTCharming and incredibly moving' RACHEL RAMSAY