Paisley Book Festival celebrates Scottish women’s football

2024 is the 50^th anniversary of the lifting of the ban on women’s football in Scotland and Paisley Book Festival is celebrating the forgotten history of these footballers.

‘Bards, Bans and Ballers: The Tall Tales of Women’s Football in Scotland’ will be hosted by poet Julie McNeill and sport historians Professor Fiona Skillen and Dr Karen Fraser, who are avid football enthusiasts.

The panel members have co-edited a book to be released in the summer that will bring together poetry, history and stories inspired by the game.

Commenting on how the sport has progress in the last half a century, Ms McNeill said: “Women have had to fight for opportunities to play the game they love.

“They have been banned and discriminated against. They have faced hostility and sexism, and yet they have preserved and found ways to play.”

The publication and event coincide with the anniversary of the ban on women’s football being lifted in 1974, but it has not been an easy road since.

Aileen Campbell, CEO of Scottish Women’s Football, said: “With recent growth in numbers and visibility, it’s easy to forget that it has only been 50 years since the ban on women playing football was lifted.

“Even then it took another 24 years before the Scottish FA took responsibility for the women’s national team.”

Scottish Women’s Premier League has joined the professional association and over the years there have been more coverage, role models and sponsors such as Scottish Power.

However, when it comes down to it, Ms Campbell says that the game exists due to an army of committed fans.

This is shown by nearly 23,000 women and girls being registered with the Scottish Football Association as grassroot players in 2023.

Scottish women’s football hype, Chris Marshall, feels like the progress made in the sport recently is something to be celebrated.

He added: “I find it a funny one to celebrate the lifting of the ban as it should never have been something in place to be lifted.

“Women’s football is still playing catch up in so many ways but it’s also hugely exciting to see how quickly it continues to evolve.

“It feels night and day compared with just a couple of years ago, so for those who were part of the early years, the change must feel extraordinary.”

The Bards, Bans and Ballers ladies have said that the collection to be published is the perfect opportunity to reveal the long-overlooked history of women footballers and give a voice to the women who created that history.

Ms McNeill described the collection as “not a traditional poetry book.”

She commented: “We have tried to bring together poems, essays, interviews, history and the experiences of the women who played in order to give you a deeper understanding of the development of the game and to celebrate those who have driven the game forward.

“What comes across from these stories and poems is a passion for playing football, the joy that the game provides regardless of where it is played and the sense of community and connection that it creates amongst those who play it or support a team,” she added.

The event takes place on April 26 in Paisley Town Hall.

Eilidh Farquhar