Oxford United coach Vanessa Hardwick has won a landmark victory over the Football Association.

The 33-year-old, who trains the ladies' team, successfully claimed sex discrimination after she was refused an advanced coaching licence. She argued she scored higher than some men who passed.

Ms Hardwick took the FA to an industrial tribunal in September 1997 and won. The FA appealed but at a hearing in London yesterday, Mr Justice Morrison backed the original decision. Another hearing will now discuss Ms Hardwick's licence, an apology and possible compensation.

Alice Leonard of the Equal Opportunities Commission, which backed her at the two tribunals, said: "Women should have the same opportunity as men to pursue a career in sport. This is the 1990s. "Prejudice shouldn't be allowed to deny women the chance to succeed in their chosen profession.

"Vanessa did not want any concessions and competed on equal terms. She did not expect to be discriminated against because of her sex."

Ms Hardwick, who lives in High Wycombe and teaches in Aylesbury, said: "I now hope that the FA will apologise, give me my licence and take urgent steps to make football fair for everyone, whether they be men or women."

Story date: Wednesday 27 January

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.