Rose Reilly's Phenomenal Story (Alba 9.00pm. Today Sunday)

[Gedee]

I know from past experience here on the forum, the general reaction to Women's Football .... "Oh Aye, So What"

So I'm not gonna make a big thing of tonight's programme. But after reading part of her story, I'll be recording this.

"In the 1970s, 17-year-old Rose Reilly left Ayrshire, determined to realise her dream to play professional football. A World Cup winner in 1984 for Italy and named the best female footballer in the world in the same year, she made her dreams a reality. Rose Reilly is the incredible story of a feminist icon whose tenacity and talent paved the way for women in football"

In Gaelic with English subtitles

[WoodStein]

I'm also recording it, G, and looking forward to seeing some of the film that's included of her time with Rheims, AC Milan & the Italian national side. I remember reading occasional stories in the Sundail Mail (the red one) about her, and the pathetic attitude of the then SFA officials. A life ban (from what?), for having the impertinence to go abroad & play professionally for two of the worlds biggest clubs. Staggering hypocrisy, but typical of the football authorities at that time.

She holds a couple of unique records....winning the world cup as captain of Italy, and the only player to win two league titles simultaneously for two clubs in different countries....Rheims in France, Milan in Italy. 

 

[Gedee]

1 hour ago, WoodStein said:

I'm also recording it, G, and looking forward to seeing some of the film that's included of her time with Rheims, AC Milan & the Italian national side. I remember reading occasional stories in the Sundail Mail (the red one) about her, and the pathetic attitude of the then SFA officials. A life ban (from what?), for having the impertinence to go abroad & play professionally for two of the worlds biggest clubs. Staggering hypocrisy, but typical of the football authorities at that time.

She holds a couple of unique records....winning the world cup as captain of Italy, and the only player to win two league titles simultaneously for two clubs in different countries....Rheims in France, Milan in Italy. 

 

Good on you Wood'... And thanks for response

At least, you and me will watch it some time

"At the age of 7yrs, she, cut her hair, called herself Ross & played for Stewarton United. She scored 8 goals. And the Celtic Scout watching the game, enquired about signing the wee boy who got all the goals...You cant, was the response of the coach...She's a wee lassie !!"

"At 10 years, Reilly was playing  with the local ladies team Stewerton Thistle, holding her own, in a team of grown women"

AS MY FRIEND WOOD POINTS OUT ABOVE, SHE WENT ON TO GREAT THINGS ... IT SEEM LIKE SHE WAS SOME LADY

[Gedee]

Link to more details ... https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-4634506/How-Rose-Reilly-Scottish-Football-Hall-Fame.html

[WoodStein]

A very interesting & often amusing documentary, probably a lot of stuff that may seem familiar to any kids growing up football-daft in the 60's. Some of her childhood tales were hilarious, an unconventional wee girl, with a very 'gallus' sense of humour & irony throughout her life....and always setting wee challenges, like keepie-uppie while going to get her father's morning paper, keeping a ball off the ground all the way there, in the shop, and back again.

Very athletic & strong in her teens, she had the option of an athletics career, but football was too big a dream to give up. The shot-putt story was brilliant...competing in an event, she was asked what weight of shot she threw, she said "I don't know, I practice using a rock"...her coach said when she threw the proper shot, it flew out of her hand like a tennis ball, he'd had her training with a much heavier rock.

Watching some of the old film of games, I thought this maybe gave her an almost unique advantage, in being a lot more athletic, fitter, stronger (& equally as good with either foot)...and allowed her to 'hit the ground running' when she moved to the pro league in France & then Italy. There was one photo of her about to shoot during a game in Italy, and it could have been any pro striker in the men's game....perfect balance, standing foot perfectly placed, leaning at enough of an angle to that side to maximise the power in the striking leg, plenty of backlift. She didn't 'kick the ba' like a lassie'. 

With her Italian team-mates, they scored some terrific goals (30-odd years ago), and it was impressive to hear what her former coaches & colleagues said of her as a player & as a captain. And the SFA gave her a life ban for wanting to achieve that level of success....when they should have been asking her to become the women's national coach.

The Emmeline Pankhurst of Scottish Women's Football..!!  

[Gedee]

Great summary of the programme Wood...No need for me to add anything more.

But she was definitely special. A "stand out" example for anyone (whatever gender)

[Gedee]

BECAUSE, OF THE UNCONTROLED, INCREASING EXCITEMENT 

AND TO ADDRESS THE  POPULAR DEMAND TO KNOW MORE

BELOW IS A (RELAXED) INSIGHT, INTO PROFILES & PERSONALITES

OF OUR WORLD CUP QUALIFIERS. GET OOT THERE & DO YOUR BEST

"Good Luck Ladies"  https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/48526461

[WoodStein]

Good wee article on Rose Reilly, from Steven Naismith, another Stewarton product, at the Hall of Fame nomination event:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/48542802