A famous Scottish singer will delve deep into her family tree in a brand new documentary coming to BBC Alba in April - as Eddi Reader discovers her granny's secret life as a pioneering footballer.
Sadie Smith found fame as a footballer and toured with the trailblazing Rutherglen Ladies in the 1920s, paving the way for women in the future.
Now, singer-songwriter Eddi Reader will discover that Sadie is her grandmother, and meets up with various historians and journalists to find out more about her family's past.
Eddi Reader meets with historian Dr Fiona Skillen from Glasgow Caledonian University in this programme to find out more about Sadie’s life and career with Rutherglen Ladies.
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Dr Fiona Skillen explains that Rutherglen Ladies are the most important women’s football team in interwar Scotland and one of the most important teams in Scottish Women’s football history.
She said: “They were touring.. raising hundreds of pounds for charity and breaking down barriers, simply by just existing.
“I’m sure many of them experienced discrimination or hostility even within their own families or communities because it would have been a controversial thing for women to do, to take up this ‘men’s’ sport.”
A formal ban was introduced in Scotland after World War Two but even before then they discouraged their members from letting women play on their pitches.
Dr Skillen added: “Some do break that rule, because they’re continuing to raise money for local charities, so they see it as a good thing and let them play.
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"But there’s no doubt that the SFA and wider popular opinion is not encouraging of women playing football at this time.”
Looking back on her granny’s life and career, Eddi will wonder if giving up football was a source of sadness for her grandmother.
Writer, producer and director Margot McCuaig, said: “Every now and then we are fortunate to be blessed with influential individuals who make an extraordinary mark in history and inspire, empower and excite future generations.
"Sadie Smith was one such role model and it is a great privilege to be able to share her story, and indeed that of J H Kelly’s trailblazing Rutherglen Ladies, to a wider audience.
“Sadie, as a footballer and a beloved granny to Eddi Reader, was an inspiration, a powerful pioneering woman who, along with her teammates, challenged the misogynistic narrative and pushed women forward.”
Sadie Smith is produced and directed by RTS award-winning company purpleTV.
The documentary will be broadcast on BBC ALBA on Saturday, April 9 at 9pm and repeated on Friday, April 15 at 11pm.
It will also be available on the BBC iPlayer for 30 days afterwards.
