Women’s football (soccer) has become extremely popular in recent years, much more so than even ten years ago. So imagine what it was like for women’s football in the 1920s.

In 1921, when a new women’s team called the Montrose Hotspurs formed in Scotland, their first match was a trial against a team of local mechanics. It was held at the Links Park in Montrose and they wore a navy uniform with white stripes. I’m proud to say the referee for that first match was my great-grandfather, William Hampton.

“The enthusiastic Hotspurs performed before quite a large crowd of spectators, but after they had got over their initial “stage fright” they acquitted themselves very creditably, and pluckily responded to the exhortations of their numerous lady supporters….Judging from the large crowd which witnessed the game the local lady soccer “stars” are sure of good support in the town, and many interesting encounters with other ladies’ teams in the county are being anticipated.”

– ‘Montrose Lady Footballers’, Dundee Courier, 22 March 1921, p. 6.

The players in the team photo are from left to right: front row — L Moir. N. Middleton, A. McFarlane, L. Fisher, N. Davidson; middle row — L. Beattie, B. Keay, M. Easson; and top row — Mary Mitchell, T. Beattie, S. Fairweather.

Selected references

‘Montrose Ladies Form Football Team’, Dundee Courier, 19 March 1921, p. 6.

‘Montrose Lady Footballers’, Dundee Courier, 22 March 1921, p. 6.

‘Lady Footballers at Montrose’, Montrose Standard, 25 March 1921, p. 3.

‘Montrose Ladies’ Team’, Aberdeen Press and Journal, 20 April 1921, p. 7.

‘The Hotspurs’, Montrose Review, 22 April 1921, p. 4.

‘Ladies’ Football Match’, Dundee Courier, 15 August 1921, p. 3.

‘Aberdeen ladies Win at Montrose’, Dundee Courier, 22 September 1921, p. 6.