Rose Reilly

1955 — 

Voted the world’s best female footballer in 1983 Rose Reilly is a trailblazer for women’s football. She was a mainstay of the Scotland women's team, making 10 appearances and playing in the historic first official international between Scotland and England in 1972.  At just 17, and having already played 10 games for the Scotland Women’s team, Rose moved abroad to become a professional footballer. She started off with Reims in France, winning a League title, before moving to AC Milan. During her time in Italy Reilly won eight Serie A titles, four Italian Cups and was twice Serie A Golden Boot winner. A series of four-team women's international tournaments ('Mundialito') were held in the 1980s, the first being held in Japan and the other four in Italy. The Italian team won the tournament in 1981, 1984 (the year Rose was in the team) and in 1986. Later that year Rose travelled with the Italian squad to China to take part in the Xian Women's Tournament in Beijing which featured leading club sides and national teams. Although Italy lost out at the semi final stage to American College side Sting Soccer Club, Rose was the tournament's top scorer with 10 goals and she was voted the world's best player. She ended the historic year of 1984 by returning to Ayrshire to play once again with Stewarton Thistle in a charity match at Rugby Park. When Reilly finally retired from playing in Italian football at the age of 40 she could look back on a hugely successful career with a host of clubs and her achievements include an impressive haul of eight Serie A Championships, four Italian Cups and two Golden Boots (1978 and 1981).