A trailblazer of women’s football who received an award for her championing of the sport has backed calls for Celtic and Rangers to join the Women’s Super League. Patricia Gregory, who has been supporting women’s football since its subdued beginnings in the 1960s, commented on the news that the Old Firm clubs and the WSL have contemplated a move of the Scottish teams over to the English top flight in preliminary talks.
Ms Gregory was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire during an investiture ceremony at Windsor Castle on Wednesday for “services to national and international Association Football and to Charity”. Speaking after the ceremony, Ms Gregory said about Celtic and Rangers possibly joining the English game: “I would think it’s good.
“I’m still in touch with my opposite number from the 1970s in Scotland, and I know that they had even more difficulties. “When we played the first International on the 18th of November 1972 up in Scotland, the Scottish FA had still not recognised the women, and they didn’t for another couple of years.
“So I would think anything that helps it around has got to be good,” she added. The Scottish Women’s FA was founded in August 1972, but it was not recognised until 1975. Ms Gregory was a key-member and co-founder of the Women’s Football Association, which organised and supported women’s football in England.
