AN ANNIVERSARY football match between Scotland and England will take place this Sunday in Greenock.
The fixture is between the two nations' women’s under-15 teams, in celebration of their first international match almost 50 years ago.
In the exact same venue as it was played five decades ago, the match will take place at Ravenscraig Stadium on May 15.
Millie Paton, 14, Scotland full-back and a pupil at Clydeview Academy just one mile away from the stadium, said: “I’m really excited and it’s an honour to be playing in this international match.
“The talent is really good now all over the women’s game so it will be great to have it on display from both Scotland and England here where it all started.”
When the two sides met in 1972 it was the first official women’s international game for either side – coming just as a ban on women’s football was lifted.
The Scotland squad at the time included Rose Reilly MBE, who would go on to play professionally in Italy, eventually winning the precursor to the women’s world cup with their national side in 1984.
On the day, England came away with a 3-2 victory coming back from a Reilly go-ahead goal from the corner.
Rose Reilly will stay with the Scotland squad the night before this weekend's game, speaking to the team about her personal and professional experience with football.
Gillian Duffy, vice-president of the Scottish Schools’ FA and assistant coach for the Scotland U15 side, said: “The obstacles these women overcame to continue playing the game they loved has paved the way for the opportunities young girls have today, where the dream of playing professionally and for your country can now be a reality.
“Our players, although all U15, know that they will one day be role models for the younger generation and want to show any young girl or boy in the stadium watching that with hard work and resilience and a belief in yourself you can achieve anything.”
This Sunday’s fixture is being organised by Inverclyde Council in partnership with the Scottish Schools’ Football Association and with support from the English Schools’ Football Association.
Mark Hignett, chairman of the English Schools’ FA, said: “I know that both countries are quite rightly very proud of the opportunities they provide for girls to play football at all levels and this celebratory event is the perfect way to acknowledge this.
“As an educational organisation, it is highly appropriate that we combine history with sport and we are excited to be involved in all aspects of this occasion.”
Players involved for the Scotland side in this Sunday’s game will receive their international caps at Greenock Town Hall after the game.
Another celebration is set to take place later this year, closer in date to the original match-up, on November 18, 1972.
Those interested in attending this weekend's special fixture can get tickets via Eventbrite.
