The match was broadcast live on Sky Sports and was contested between the double winners Arsenal and league runners-up Doncaster Belles. Arsenal won the game, played at Kingstonian FC, 5-2.

In August 2002 the inaugural FA Women’s Community Shield was held at Leyton Orient FC. It proved to be an entertaining re-match of The FA Women’s Cup Final of earlier that year as the league champions Arsenal faced FA Cup holders Fulham. Again in front of live cameras, the teams battled to a 2-2 draw in normal time with Fulham running out as winners on penalties.

The 2003 FA Women’s Community Shield was held for the first time in a Northern venue at Mansfield Town FC. Fulham, the defending champions and treble winners, played the newly-named Doncaster Rovers Belles, the league runners-up.

Defender Rachel Unitt netted a goal ten minutes from the end of the game to secure Fulham’s victory and they became the first team to retain the trophy.

A year on it was a clash of the country's two top teams, Arsenal and Charlton Athletic, who between them made a clean sweep of the major honours during the 2003/04 season. 

Premier League Cup winners Charlton were runners-up to Arsenal in both the Premier League championship and The FA Cup, but a goal from Anne-Marie Heatherson just before half-time gave the Addicks a 1-0 Community Shield win at Stevenage Borough FC.   

The Gunners got sweet revenge 12 months later however, thumping their London rivals 4-0 in The Shield match at Milton Keynes. Goals from Ciara Grant, Lianne Sanderson and a Jayne Ludlow brace secured the win.

 The 2006 game was played at Crewe Alexandra and once again saw Arsenal run away comfortable winners. Kelly Smith, Katie Chapman and Gemma Davison all found the net in the win over Everton.

That took Arsenal's tally of victories to four - once as The FA Women's Charity match winners - their dominance only invaded by fellow London clubs Fulham twice and Charlton once.