Former Arsenal Women player Gill Sayell has recalled the remarkable moment in 1987 when Aylesbury Ladies became Arsenal, laying the foundation for the club that would go on to dominate English women\u2019s football.<\/p>\n
The transformation came about after a conversation between Vic Akers and Gill\u2019s father, Bob, who managed Aylesbury at the time.<\/p>\n Sayell was playing for Aylesbury when Arsenal absorbed the club, bringing professionalism and prestige to a team that had been built on strong foundations. The move proved transformative not just for the players but for women\u2019s football in England.<\/p>\n \u201cVic instilled that professionalism in us from the start, that when you wear the shirt you represent Arsenal and that\u2019s a great privilege,\u201d<\/em> Sayell explained<\/a>. \u201cThe way the team played and held themselves was totally different. We knew we belonged, and we knew we were representing such a prestigious club.\u201d<\/em> (h\/t: Arsenal.com)<\/p>\n Sayell won Player of the Season in Arsenal Ladies\u2019 first campaign in 1987\/88 playing as a sweeper. She played for six years until 1993 when the Gunners won the treble in their first season in the top flight, before a knee injury ended her career at 34.<\/p>\n When asked about the current Arsenal Women team regularly playing in front of tens of thousands at the Emirates, Sayell insists there\u2019s no envy. \u201cI\u2019m proud of where my football career went and it\u2019s so nice to have that recognition now. We\u2019re not jealous, we\u2019re amazed, and I couldn\u2019t be prouder of them all.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n 💬 \u201cI don\u2019t think at the time we could ever have imagined this would happen and now I feel even more privileged to have been a part of this journey.\u201d <\/p>\n One of Arsenal Women\u2019s first-ever players, Gill Sayell 🌟 <\/p>\n Read about her trailblazing career in the latest Legend Interview👇<\/p>\n \u2014 Arsenal Women (@ArsenalWFC) April 6, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n Sayell had previously represented the British Independents Team at the 1971 Women\u2019s World Cup aged just 14, playing in front of 90,000 fans at the Azteca Stadium.<\/p>\n Quotes and images in this piece are courtesy of www.arsenal.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n Also read: Arsenal Women Lose Two Key Stars to Injury Ahead of Brighton Clash as Renee Slegers Confirms Defensive Absences<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/soccersouls.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Arsenal-Women-first-season_nha7fwuq.jpg.avif\")
Akers Instilled Professionalism From Day One<\/h2>\n
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Amazed by Modern Arsenal Women Success<\/h2>\n
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