AT Bolton Wanderers it is not just the male players who shine - Wanderers' Ladies are also a top-notch team.

On Sunday, they take on a North-west regional football league select side in a fixture at the Reebok which could create a few more converts to the game.

But as club organiser Neil Fairclough explained, women's football is already the biggest participation sport for women and girls in the UK.

"It has become very popular, although perhaps not as well known as it should be," he said. "But when people see them play, they are very surprised at the high standard."

Unlike men's football, the female game relies less on brute force and more on skill and athleticism "though they are not afraid of being physical".

Goalkeeper Lisa Baldwin would echo those sentiments. She is 19 and has been playing football since she played on the boys' team at Tonge Moor Primary School.

She reckons that to be a good goalkeeper you have "not got to be afraid of the ball", and she has the bruises and a list of injuries to prove it.

Like the other Ladies, she trains for 90 minutes each Wednesday evening, ready for matches on Sunday in the North West Women's League.

Lisa, who works for a local newsagent, also studies at Blackburn College where she plays for their women's team in midfield.

Always sporty, she loves football and would like it to be recognised more in Britain.

She has been following the European championships on TV and was at Ewood Park, Blackburn, for the England-Denmark game.

"My dream would be to play for England but the present goalkeeper is very good," she said.

Bolton Wanderers Ladies FC was formed in 1999 from the amalgamation of two other teams and won the prestigious Lancashire FA women's cup competition in its first year.

Since then, the first team has twice finished runners up in the Premier Division of the North West Women's League, narrowly missing promotion to the Northern Combination last year.

The club has around 140 players with nine junior teams from under-12s to under-16s, the ladies' first team and reserves.

Neil Fairclough got involved in women's football 11 years ago through his daughter Joanne, who is now 21 and on a soccer scholarship in America which has already taken her to various states and colleges. "Women's football is huge over there," said Neil.

"It's the female alternative to American football and so large amounts of money have been put into it."

Another Wanderers Ladies' player, Linda Hughes, is also due to go to the States on a soccer scholarship this year.

Neil says the sport offers fantastic opportunities, especially in America.

"It's good to watch, and the girls and women love playing," he said.

"We just need more profile here."

The Ladies' exhibition football match kicks off at the Reebok at 3pm on Sunday, with tickets at £2 for adults and £1 concessions.

For more information about the match and about the Wanderers' Ladies, call Neil Fairclough on 01204-383914.