Former nurse Jean Moizer played for the pioneering team of female footballers for two seasons after the Second World War.

But friends have told how she never wished to make a fuss of her fame.
She died after a short battle with lung cancer at the end of last month and her funeral was held last week.

Today, friend Rose Lawlor, who she lived with for more than 50 years, described her as "the best friend anyone could wish for."

She said: "Jean would always say she used to play for the Dick, Kerr Ladies but she never made a fuss about it, that was not her way.

"I remember we gave her a copy of the book that was written about the team and showed her where she was in some of the photographs, she just said she would have a look at it another time, but I don't think she ever did.

"She was proud of the fact she used to play for the team."

The pair met while working at Whittingham Hospital more than 60 years ago and moved into Jean's parents' house on Lovat Road, Ribbleton, in the 1950s before moving to Plungington Road when they died.

Sue Williams, manager at the Brooklands Nursing Home, told how Jean always referred to her as "the boss" during her 18-month stay at the home.

She said: "I quite often used to get her up out of her chair and I would say to her 'we'll have you kicking those footballs again.'

"Jean was one of the nicest people you could wish to meet, she never complained, she was always smiling, she was really a lovely person."

Her funeral, organised by funeral directors Martin's in Tulketh Brow, Ashton, was held at St Clare's Church, Fulwood, last Thursday.

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