
Jacqueline McAssey
Liverpool School of Art and Design
Faculty of Arts Professional and Social Studies
Email: J.McAssey@ljmu.ac.uk
Telephone: 0151 904 1244
Jacqui McAssey’s work exemplifies a transformative contribution to both football and fashion culture, particularly through her project GIRLFANS. By merging contemporary photography with the grassroots aesthetic of traditional football fanzines, McAssey has illuminated the underrepresented presence of female football supporters and fostered a renewed sense of belonging within the male-dominated world of football fandom. Her work situates itself at the intersection of cultural critique, fashion, and sport, challenging entrenched gender norms and expanding the visual and social narrative of football culture.
Since the inception of GIRLFANS in 2013, McAssey has meticulously documented female fans across major leagues, including the Premier League, English Football League (EFL), and Scottish Premier League, with a focus on clubs such as Liverpool FC, Manchester City FC, Celtic FC, and Bury FC. This ongoing documentation not only brings visibility to women in football but also reclaims their space within a cultural domain that has historically marginalised their contributions.
In addition to her groundbreaking photo-zine GIRLFANS, McAssey has extended her influence through the creation of football apparel and memorabilia, utilising these mediums to reclaim and recontextualise traditional football chants, phrases, and songs. This aspect of her work exemplifies a critical intervention into the gendered dynamics of football culture. A prominent example is her reinterpretation of the term "The 12th Woman," which was embraced by female supporters of Bury Football Club in the aftermath of the club's expulsion from the English Football League in 2019. Through this reimagining, McAssey provides a feminist lens to football’s symbolic language, transforming it into a powerful statement of resilience and solidarity among female fans. Her innovative approach also earned her a high-profile commission to design a bespoke "Lionesses coat" for the England Women’s national team squad announcement film prior to their historic victory at the 2022 UEFA Women’s European Championship.
The cultural significance of GIRLFANS has been affirmed through its inclusion in prestigious collections, such as the British Library, V&A Art Library, National Football Museum, Museums Liverpool and Manchester Metropolitan University Special Collections, among others. These holdings not only preserve McAssey’s work but also recognise its scholarly and societal value as an artifact of contemporary football culture. Exhibitions at prominent venues such as the Design Museum in London, The Whitworth Art Gallery in Manchester, and the National Football Museum underscore the academic and cultural weight of her contributions. The British Library has also digitally preserved the GIRLFANS website and McAssey’s Twitter/X feed. Her practice also reaches the fashion and media industries, where her collaborations with global brands such as CP Company, Nike, Converse, BBC Creative, Sky Sports, and Copa 90, highlight her ability to bridge sport and fashion in meaningful ways. Her work has appeared in leading publications, including The Guardian, i-D, Vogue, Arcipelago, Champions Journal, and British GQ,.
Inspired by the Lionesses’ landmark victory in 2022, the rise of football-inspired fashion, and the rapid development of women’s grassroots football in Liverpool, McAssey conceptualised the Get Your Kits Out Festival as a physical space to unite and empower this expanding community. She remarked, "GIRLFANS addressed visibility and equality in football; Get Your Kits Out focuses on equity. It provides a tangible platform for women to present their creative work, including product design and football photography, while fostering connections with the wider football community." By amplifying the voices, contributions, and presence of female football fans, McAssey has significantly reshaped the cultural narrative of gender in football. Her work with GIRLFANS has established a critical framework for understanding the intersections of sport and fashion, positioning it as a foundational text in these fields. Through her dual roles as both cultural commentator and active participant - playing for Sefton Park Rangers Women - McAssey exemplifies how creative practice can drive meaningful and transformative cultural change.
Degrees
2007, University of Central Lancashire, United Kingdom, MA (with Distinction), Fashion and Lifestyle Promotion
1997, University of Central Lancashire, United Kingdom, BA (Hons) Fashion Promotion, Fashion Promotion
Academic appointments
External Examiner, BA Sports Photography,, School of Art and Design, Nottingham Trent University, 2024 - 2027
External Examiner, BA (Hons) Fashion Styling, Instituto Marangoni Paris (MMU), 2017 - 2021
External Examiner, BA (Hons) Fashion Styling, Instituto Marangoni London (MMU), 2017 - 2021
Senior Lecturer, Fashion (Communication), Liverpool John Moores University, 2015 - present
Course Leader, Fashion Promotion with Styling, University of Central Lancashire, 2009 - 2014
Lecturer, Fashion Promotion, University of Central Lancashire, 1998 - 2009
Highlighted publications
McAssey J. 2022. Crowds Football: Designing the Beautiful Game 1 :80-85 Design Museum Publishing. London 9781872005614 Author Url
McAssey J, Benson S, Buckley C. 2021. Fashion Styling :1-170 DOI Publisher Url
McAssey J, Buckley C. 2011. Basics Fashion Design 08: Styling A&C Black 9782940411399
McAssey J. Football: Designing the Beautiful Game Author Url Publisher Url
Chapters
McAssey J. 2024. Fantasy Football Bird J. Mundial :84-89 Football Co Ltd. London Author Url Publisher Url
McAssey J. 2022. Crowds Football: Designing the Beautiful Game 1 :80-85 Design Museum Publishing. London 9781872005614 Author Url
McAssey J. UEFA WOMEN’S EURO 2022 | AROUND THE MATCH Butler C. UEFA WOMEN’S EURO 2022 | AROUND THE MATCH. 1 :4-5 We Are Wilow. Manchester Author Url Publisher Url
McAssey J. Arcipelago Benvenuto G. TBC CP Company. Italy Author Url Publisher Url
Other
McAssey J. 2023. Femorabilia Workshop: Sydney with Free Lionesses, in collaboration with The Football Supporters' Association Author Url Publisher Url
McAssey J. 2023. Femorabilia Workshop: Sydney #2 with Free Lionesses, in collaboration with The Football Supporters' Association. Author Url
McAssey J. 2023. Femorabilia Workshop: Brisbane with Free Lionesses, in collaboration with The Football Supporters' Association Author Url Publisher Url
Books (authored)
McAssey J. 2022. Extra Time
McAssey J, Benson S, Buckley C. 2021. Fashion Styling :1-170 DOI Publisher Url
McAssey J. 2017. Girlfans Manchester City F.C. Edition McAssey J. One :1-64 www.girlfans.co.uk. Manchester Author Url Publisher Url
McAssey J. 2017. Girlfans Manchester City F.C. Edition McAssey J. One :1-64 www.girlfans.co.uk. Manchester Author Url Publisher Url
McAssey J. 2017. Fanpages 2017 Garnett B, Joliffe K. One Idea Books. London Author Url Publisher Url Public Url
McAssey J, Buckley C. 2011. Basics Fashion Design 08: Styling A&C Black 9782940411399
McAssey J, Buckley C. 2011. Styling Mode perfekt in Szene setzen Stiebner Verlag GmbH 9783830708773
Design
McAssey J. 2018. A new wave of documenters are giving female football supporters visibility and a sense of belonging in football culture. Author Url Publisher Url
Editorial/letter to the editor
McAssey J, Pennant F. 2018. Paying Homage to Liverpool FC's Kings. Pennant F. https://www.season-zine.com, n/a Author Url Publisher Url
McAssey J, Provins M. 2017. 'Money Diaries' for Season Zine. Pennant F. http://www.season-zine.com/, Publisher Url
Book review
McAssey J, Wright J. 2017. Mundial Magazine. Sandison D. Mundial Magazine, Publisher Url
McAssey J. 2017. Futebol Cafe: Girlfans, the photographic magazine that tells the English: football is also a woman's thing. https://medium.com/futebol-café/girlfans-futebol-coisa-de-mulher-745504035dc5, Publisher Url
Artefact
McAssey J. 2017. Girlfans 3: Manchester City FC Edition Author Url Publisher Url
McAssey J, Hurst A. 2016. Girlfans 2: Everton FC Edition Author Url Publisher Url
McAssey J. 2014. Girlfans 1: Liverpool FC Edition Author Url Publisher Url Public Url
Exhibition
McAssey JM. GIRLFANS at The Whitworth Author Url Publisher Url
McAssey J. GIRFANS UNTOLD Author Url Publisher Url
Hyatt J, McAssey J. TIME TUNNEL: Untold Stories Author Url Publisher Url
Provins M, McAssey J. A Place for Everything and Everything in its Place - LIGHTNIGHT 2020 AT HOME Author Url Publisher Url
McAssey J. British Textile Biennial: GIRLFANS Burnley Author Url Publisher Url
McAssey J. GIRLFANS Celtic launch and exhibition Author Url Publisher Url
McAssey J. Extra Time
Martin M. Zines of the World - GIRLFANS Liverpool Author Url Publisher Url
McAssey J. Football: Designing the Beautiful Game Author Url Publisher Url
McAssey J. Male Order: Football Merchandise Catalogues 1989-2007 for the Locating Menswear Forum, Westminster Archive. Author Url Publisher Url
McAssey J. Get Your Kits Out Festival Publisher Url
voget E, McAssey J. Who Are Ya? Cuerpas Reales, Hinchas Reales. Author Url Publisher Url
McAssey J, Hitchen Z. Who Are Ya? Francesca Scandella Author Url Publisher Url
McAssey J. Who Are Ya? Imke Oppenkamp and Sarah Deboe, co-founder of MINT is Culture Publisher Url
McAssey J. Who Are Ya? Women's Grassroots Football Liverpool Publisher Url
Journal article
McAssey J. The Bench Coat Arcipelago 05 The Sacred Issue, Publisher Url
Highlighted activities
Award:
Winner: Arts, Culture & Media Award 2024., Merseyside Woman of the Year Award 2024. Celebrating women who take creativity and make it purposeful, using art, culture, or media to change attitudes, provide a platform for women and other marginalised groups and elevate their voices, stories, and experience. These women combine effective leadership with business acumen and creative vision to inspire, empower and lead., https://merseysidewomenoftheyear.co.uk/alumni/2024-finalists/jacqui-mcassey/. 2024
VC's Award for Excellence in Research (Faculty Winner), Liverpool John Moores University, https://www.ljmu.ac.uk/about-us/news/articles/2022/12/8/rke-awards-2022. 2022
Conference presentation:
Joint Keynote: Femorabilia, International Women in Sport Symposium, School of Business, Western Sydney University, Oral presentation. 2023
Women’s Football Markets and Supporters, Business and Development of Women’s Football 2023, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia, Panel discussion. 2023
Media Coverage:
Mikaela McKinley: The Football Collective - The Bloody Beautiful Game. (opens in a new tab) .
Research Grants Awarded:
Liverpool John Moores University, Wembley Joy in July 2022: the moment that the England women’s football team became cool., Professor Jean Williams, Erica Voget, Grant value (£): 10,000, Duration of research project: TBC. 2022
Professional activities
Media Coverage:
Champions Journal: Kit Girls - Lizzie Coan visits the Get Your Kits Out fashion and football festival in Liverpool to see how a new generation of women are reimagining how to wear and style football shirts and use them as a springboard for creativity. 2024
www.instagram.com (opens in a new tab)
www.champions-journal.com (opens in a new tab)
Going to the Match: L.S. Lowry on Tour 2024
discoverbury.co.uk (opens in a new tab)
britishculturearchive.co.uk (opens in a new tab)
www.instagram.com (opens in a new tab)
Get Your Kits Out Festival: Juice Liverpool (opens in a new tab) 2024
Get Your Kits Out Festival: The Florrie (opens in a new tab) 2024
Get Your Kits Out Festival 2024
theguideliverpool.com (opens in a new tab)
www.ljmu.ac.uk (opens in a new tab)
www.theflorrie.org (opens in a new tab)
C.P. COMPANY’S ARCIPELAGO CELEBRATES FOOTBALL SUBCULTURES (opens in a new tab) 2024
High Snobiety: C.P. Company’s Arcipelago Celebrates Football Subcultures. (opens in a new tab) 2024
This Game Belongs To All Of Us (opens in a new tab) 2023
BBC Sport celebrates football fandom with ‘This Game Belongs to All of Us’. (opens in a new tab) 2023
This Game Belongs To All Of Us (opens in a new tab) 2023
The Art of the Terraces: How football fans led a fashion revolution (opens in a new tab) 2022
BBC pays tribute to steadfast British football fandom (opens in a new tab) 2022
BBC champions inclusivity in This Game Belongs To All of Us campaign. (opens in a new tab) 2022
“Because it folds snugly into the arse pocket of your jeans” (opens in a new tab) 2020
El Pais - translated from Spanish:
Director Sánchez Arévalo premieres his first documentary about the Faroe Islands' unusual love of soccer, in which one in ten inhabitants goes to the stadium every week and 6% are supporters of the 'reds'.
Tracking the enormous participation of women there Sánchez Arévalo found the two stories that make up the documentary: that of a 10-year-old girl from Faroe, Elia, who shouts that Liverpool is “the best club in the world” while pointing to her shirt red with ten on his back and who, thanks to Mastercard, was able to step on Anfield's grass; and that of an English photographer, Jacqui (McAssey), who founded a non-profit magazine, GirlFan, who has been publishing portraits of fans who have been attending the stands in the English countryside since the 1990s and who postulates that they now account for a third of the total. 2019
www.youtube.com (opens in a new tab)
elpais.com (opens in a new tab)
Time Tunnel - Art in Liverpool. (opens in a new tab)
Free arts festival to mark official launch of Fabric District. (opens in a new tab)
Mikaela McKinley: The Football Collective - The Bloody Beautiful Game. (opens in a new tab)
i-D Vice - Female football fans just as fanatic as the lads. (opens in a new tab)
The Football Collective - Art of Football. (opens in a new tab)
The Football Collective - The Bloody Beautiful Game. (opens in a new tab)
Prof. Jean Williams, Professor of Sport, Wolverhampton. (opens in a new tab)
Liverpool Chamber - Art of Football Festival. (opens in a new tab)
Mundial #GirlsFootballWeek (opens in a new tab)
Season - Faith and Football (opens in a new tab)
Fans Supporting Foodbanks (opens in a new tab)
Sky Sports (opens in a new tab)
The Tapestry Liverpool. (opens in a new tab)
Anfield Wrap (opens in a new tab)
BBC3 - What it's like being a modern-day female football fan. (opens in a new tab)
British GQ - It’s time female football fans get the recognition they deserve. (opens in a new tab)
Grazia, UK - Is football finally solving it’s ‘woman problem’. (opens in a new tab)
Stack - Six inventive ways to make a newspaper magazine. (opens in a new tab)
The Anfield Wrap Podcast - The Weekender (opens in a new tab)
Award:
Best in Women's Football Creators Nominee, Football Content Awards, https://footballcontentawards.com/. 2024
Winner: Arts, Culture & Media Award 2024., Merseyside Woman of the Year Award 2024. Celebrating women who take creativity and make it purposeful, using art, culture, or media to change attitudes, provide a platform for women and other marginalised groups and elevate their voices, stories, and experience. These women combine effective leadership with business acumen and creative vision to inspire, empower and lead., https://merseysidewomenoftheyear.co.uk/alumni/2024-finalists/jacqui-mcassey/. 2024
VC's Award for Excellence in Research (Faculty Winner), Liverpool John Moores University, https://www.ljmu.ac.uk/about-us/news/articles/2022/12/8/rke-awards-2022. 2022
Images of Research Photography 2017: Highly Commended Award, LJMU Research & Innovation Services. 2017
External collaboration:
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/upcycling-workshop-with-lydia-bolton-hosted-by-scrapqueen-and-ucl-tickets-1033530667047, University College London / London College of Fashion, Hiroko Shimada (Scrap Queen). 2024
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/nike-x-sevenstore-air-max-day-event-tickets-300773590907, UCL (Bhavna Malkani), Sevenstore x Bhavna Malkani. 2022
https://youtu.be/-GLVbNSYTug, University College London and Barclays Eagle Lab, Bhavna Malkani for UCL's Institute of Making, MA Global Prosperity students, LJMU BA Fashion students, Barclays Eagle Lab, and Sevenstore - on a Challenge-Oriented Innovation (COIN) project in circular fashion.. 2022
Conference presentation:
Male Order: Football Merchandise Catalogues 1989-2007, Locating Menswear Forum, Manchester and Liverpool, Other, https://www.sevenstore.com/editorial/locating-menswear-part-two-manchester-and-liverpool-/. 2024
Joint Keynote: Femorabilia, International Women in Sport Symposium, School of Business, Western Sydney University, Oral presentation. 2023
Women’s Football Markets and Supporters, Business and Development of Women’s Football 2023, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia, Panel discussion. 2023
Transforming Football Culture Through Art and Design, Big Ideas, Liverpool John Moores University, Oral presentation. 2023
Celebration of Women's Football: The FA, St. George's Park, Celebration of Women's Football, The FA, St. George's Park, Oral presentation. 2023
Football Fans and Activism, Home Turf: Fans, Foodbanks and Photography, Open Eye Gallery https://openeye.org.uk/blog/watch-home-turf/, Other. 2021
Girlfans: a visual ethnographic study of female football fans, Upfront & Onside: The Women's Football Conference, National Football Museum, Manchester, Oral presentation. 2018
Public engagement:
Public talk or lecture, Special interested group., Host, Sophie Benson book launch – Sustainable Wardrobe, Sustainable Wardrobe book launch, panel talk, and swap shop Join us for an evening celebrating the launch of Sustainable Wardrobe by Sophie Benson, a comprehensive guide for taking both collective and individual action to build a more sustainable fashion future. Girlfans founder Jacqui McAssey will host a lively panel talk covering all the major topics in the book, from natural dyeing and repair to community and workers’ rights. On the panel, Sophie Benson will be joined by Kemi Gbadebo, designer and founder of upcycled fashion brand GBADEBO, Bryony Moore, co-director of Stitched Up, and Emily Gubbay, natural colourist and fashion and textile designer., https://www.anthonyburgess.org/event/literature-sophie-benson-book-launch-sustainable-wardrobe/. 2023
Public talk or lecture, Special interest group, Invited speaker, Space By Liquid, Liverpool, UK., The Space Between Football and Fashion, An event exploring the complex relationship between fashion and football, looking at brands, collaborations, celebrity, sponsors, kit design, terrace fashion, and how this has changed., https://www.spaceliverpool.co.uk/blogs/news/the-space-between-fashion-and-football. 2022
Other Professional Activity:
Chair: Sustainable Wardrobe book launch and panel discussion with the author, journalist Sophie Benson, plus: Emily Gubbay, natural colourist, fashion and textile designer Kemi Gbadebo, designer and founder of Gbadebo. Bryony Moore, co-director, Stitched Up. Venue: International Anthony Burgess Foundation, Manchester.. 2023
LFC Kit Launch: https://www.lcs.studio/work/nike-liverpool-fc-kit-launch/. 2020
Other invited event:
Shaping the Future of Women's Football, The Anfield Wrap Podcast, https://www.theanfieldwrap.com/2023/03/podcast-shaping-the-game-future-of-womens-football-special/. 2023
GIRLFANS: Transforming Football Through Art and Design, Manchester Metropolitan University, Lecture to Fashion Promotion students.. 2023
Breaking Stigmas and Championing Community, Bloom Building, Shado X Convenience Gallery panel discussion. Panellists discussed the role that football has had in all of their live; the importance of grassroots football in fostering community; how the panellists are creating change in their communities and breaking down barriers and stigmas facing women in football.. 2022
LOANHOOD: What is fashion rental? Sustainable fashion panel discussion., Space by Liquid, Liverpool, In collaboration with Space by Liquid and Liverpool John Moores University, LOANHOOD's Fashion Rental Studio will be open on the 15th October showcasing incredible clothes and accessories from emerging designers, stylists, makers and fashion lovers from the Liverpool area. What is fashion rental? panel discussion with Sophie Benson, Jade McSorley, Pomshell the Label and Jacqui McAssey.. 2022
GIRLFANS, Central St Martins University, Lecture to BA Fashion, BA Fashion Communication and BA Fashion Design students to support their project with 3 and Chelsea FC.. 2020
Football, Feminism & Everything In-between - Lost Village Festival, https://lostvillagefestival.com/institute-of-curious-minds/full-schedule/, INSTITUTE OF CURIOUS MINDS LOST VILLAGE FESTIVAL. FASCINATING STORIES, TALKS, DEBATES AND LIVE INTERVIEWS FROM INTERNATIONAL ARTISTS, EXPERTS AND BOUNDARY-PUSHING THINKERS. It’s been an exciting year for women in sport, in this panel we bring together a number of key names, pioneers and ambassadors of the movement. With Trisha Lewis, founder of Romance FC, Jacqui Mcassey, Fashion Comms Lecturer and founder of Girlfans Zine, and Felicia Pennant, Vogue writer and founder of Season Zine.. 2019
Jumper For Goalposts Festival - The Commentary Box, Print works London - https://jumpersforgoalpostsfestival.com/line-up, With social media, streaming services, fan zones, and Friday Night Football, the way we enjoy the football has changed hugely? What does this mean for fans who attend games, who are growing up with modern football, or who love football but don't feel they belong? Is the romance of the 3pm kick-off dead? Join author Daniel Gray, This Fan Girl's community lead Harry Killen, Girlfans' Jacqui McAssey and broadcaster Anne-Marie Batson as we explore the changing matchday experience.. 2019
Pecha Kucha Manchester - Community, Leaf, Portland Street, Manchester., PechaKucha Night Manchester Vol. 27 - 'Liverpool' For this PechaKucha, we're exploring the theme of ‘community’. We’ll hear from an eclectic mix of speakers from the worlds of service and graphic design, architecture, printmaking, zines, creative education and economic reform. Line-up Patrick Hurley - CEO, Inclusive Economy Liverpool and Co-founder, Ethos Magazine Robyn Dooley - Director and Learning designer, OH Jacqui McAssey - Senior Lecturer in Fashion Communication and Founder, GIRLFANS Zine Paul Kelly - Graphic Designer, Bear Four Gracie Bisset - Junior Graphic Designer, Liquid Agency and Host, Ladies Wine & Design Liverpool Joe Bramall - Service Designer, Futuregov Ashley Taylor - Architect Karen Edwards - Artist and Printmaker, Red Button Press Ben Holroyd - Designer, Creative Director and Founder, Thoughtfully https://www.pechakucha.com/cities/manchester/events/5c82262524d40967a01d1336. 2019
Radio City Talk - More Than Just A Game, Botanic Garden, Liverpool., More Than Just A Game with Mick Coyle celebrating football fans and the work they do in their community: Jacqui McAssey, Anfield Wrap, Alison McGovern MP, Formby Community FC, Fans for Foodbanks, Spirit of Shankly.. 2019
The Power of Personal Projects, Colony, Manchester, A monthly conversation series for women to discuss creativity, business and life. ‘The Power of Personal Projects’ with speakers Jacqui McAssey of GIRLFANS and Emma Reynolds of @kidlit4climate. https://ladieswinedesign.com/manchester/. 2019
Soccerama Symposium: FROM OUTSIDE THE BOX: Football’s relationship with difference and its power for social change., Central Library, Liverpool, Friday 13th July, ‘From outside the box’ hosted by Stephanie Power from BBC Radio 4, focuses on football’s difficult relationship with difference and its power to drive social change. Exploring this breadth of issues around race, sexuality, gender and more will be Neville Southall MBE (Everton and Wales), Melissa Reddy (Senior Football Correspondent at joe.co.uk), Jacqui McAssey (GIRLFANS), Shaun Duggan (Screenwriter), Emy Onuora (Author, Pitch Black), Dave Kelly (Fans Supporting Foodbanks) and Paul Manning (City Of Liverpool FC). https://www.cultureliverpool.co.uk/liverpool2018/art-of-football-presents-soccerama-symposia/. 2018
Season Zine: The Female Fan Experience, Ace Hotel, London, "Since launching SEASON last year, we’ve met brilliant female football fans also striving to improve the perception of women in the game. Four of our favourites sit on this panel alongside our Editor-in-Chief to discuss their experiences, their work and the impact it’s making.". 2017
Research Grants Awarded:
Liverpool John Moores University, Wembley Joy in July 2022: the moment that the England women’s football team became cool., Professor Jean Williams, Erica Voget, Grant value (£): 10,000, Duration of research project: TBC. 2022
Membership of professional bodies:
Member, The Football Collective, https://footballcollective.org.uk/. 2016