It's one of sports most enduring debates - can women compete with men?
It's 35 years since the infamous Battle of Sexes between Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs and next week Chelsea Ladies will be hoping to overcome a Chelsea Old Boys team featuring a host of former international stars.
The first Battle of the Sexes ended with a straight sets victory for Billie Jean King King, prompting debates throughout the sporting world and inspiring sportswomen such as Michelle Wie and Anika Sorenstam to compete on equal terms with their male counterparts.
The Chelsea Ladies team will be using King's triumph as their inspiration as they take on the men who have a wealth of experience of the top flight.
Not that the women are without their stars. With six full internationals and five junior internationals as well as UEFA and World Cup winners in the squad the game is delicately poised and despite being two weeks away, the mind games between the teams has already started.
"We're younger fitter and faster," said Ladies Manager Steve Jones. "It will be close but I think we'll edge it."
Old Boys player manager and Chelsea legend Clive Walker disagreed, saying: "We may not have the pace we did a few years ago but we have got strength and experience on our side – it'll be interesting but we're going flat out to win it."
* The game will be held on 10 August at 3pm at the Met Police Ground at Imber Court. Entry is £4 for adults £1 for under 16s and is free for schools and junior football clubs when accompanied by a coach or teacher. Proceeds from the game will go towards the Chelsea Past Players' Trust.
The Past Players' Trust
The Trust was established in 2006, inspired by the late Tony Banks, who tirelessly raised funds for former players. All money raised by the Trust is used to provide medical and financial assistance to past players who have given so much to Chelsea during the course of their careers.
