By Charlie Buckland
Wales’ very first game at association level was not until 1973, against Ireland.
Former player Michele Adams was just 15 when she made her debut at the match, and recalled the team borrowing a kit from the Swansea men’s team.
“They used to play in red in those days,” she said.
“It was absolutely pelting it down… as the pitch got heavier and the rain came down, the kit just grew on us.”
Michele recalled having their own kit by the next game against England, which they received sponsorship for.
“Travel was adhoc, we spent three days on a bus to Italy for one match,” she said.
“It was the enthusiasm of the coach and the manager at the time which determined how well we did.”
Michele went on to play for Wales for 23 years and earned 28 caps.
She was involved in lobbying for recognition of the women’s game in Wales alongside fellow former internationals Karen Jones and Laura McAllister, which led to the first official Wales women’s team affiliated with the FAW being introduced in 1993.
Their first qualifying match against Switzerland for Euro 1995 was played at Cwmbran Stadium, and attracted a crowd of just 345.