Two historic Stamford Bridge eras are brought forward to the present day for a remarkable video moment as club partner Three’s #WeSeeYou Network continues to celebrate inspirational women in football.

This International Women’s Day, through the power of AI, a light is shone on the legendary Lily Parr – the greatest football player you have never seen! In conversation with Chelsea and Lionesses legend Karen Carney, Three has used state of the art AI technology to reimagine Lily Parr with striking fidelity - bringing past and present trailblazers of the game together to inspire future generations.

Drawing on the expertise of leading women’s football historian, Jean Williams, they have meticulously re-created Lily, ensuring her story, likeness and personality are authentically brought to life on screen.

The first-ever women’s match at Stamford Bridge did not feature Chelsea. Instead, it was an exhibition match contested by a side called Dick, Kerr Ladies from northern England and a French representative team made up of players from the Paris area. It was held way back in May 1920.

Dick, Kerr Ladies were very much the star attraction in the women’s game at that time – and female football was big!

Its popularity as a spectator sport had boomed during the First World War and Dick, Kerr Ladies were from a Preston-based munitions factory that had been a railway engineering firm in peacetime. Their matches drew incredible crowds.

When a four-date tour of matches between the Dick, Kerr side and Femina Sport was arranged, a London venue was needed – and Stamford Bridge fitted the bill for the popular event – but the FA’s long ban on women’s football at its affiliated clubs was just around the corner.

Fast-forward to when Chelsea’s women’s side played our first competitive game at the Bridge, against Wolfsburg in the Champions League, and it was 96 years later.

Karen Carney was our captain that day in 2016. Dick, Kerr Ladies’ star player throughout the 1920s and beyond was Lily Parr, who joined them the same year as the French team’s tour.

Now, as part of the #WeSeeYou Network’s commitment to championing women in football, Carney interviews Parr to find out more about her team’s impact, how they kept going despite the ban, her goalscoring prowess, a national recognition of her achievements in more recent times and her advice to others handed down through the ages. You can watch their discussion in the video above.

Speaking about her involvement in the groundbreaking interview, Carney said: ‘For many years women's football faced challenges to be seen and celebrated, which would have given so many incredible players the opportunity to play and help grow the game. Legends like Lily Parr paved the way, and working with Three and the #WeSeeYou Network to bring her story to life has been an incredible experience. I was proud to be a part of this campaign, and I hope it inspires future generations to keep pushing forward.’

At Chelsea in the modern era we have been determined to be at the forefront of pushing the women’s game forward – in terms of performance including with our record-breaking run of WSL titles, and in care and preparation of our players where innovation also takes place behind the scenes.

Aislinn O’Connor, marketing director at Three UK & Ireland, said: ‘Today’s launch is another reminder of our dedication and action to support women of all ages in sport. Inspired by the latest AI innovations, we’ve been able to bring an unsung hero of the game to the present day. Lily’s message is as true today as it was then, we need more resources and initiatives to help promote careers, involvement and overall support for women in football. The #WeSeeYouNetwork continues to foster a sense of belonging, from the pitch to the boardroom, as we aim to champion women in the game.’

The #WeSeeYou Network creates a community which celebrates women in all aspects of football, whether they be trailblazers on the pitch, in coaching or media-focused. Click to find out more