Eddi finds out granny was football crazy

Singer’s ancestor captained Rutherglen team

She is one of Scotland’s finest singers.

But now Eddi Reader has revealed an unexpected Rutherglen connection – her grandmother captained the Rutherglen Ladies football team in the 1920s.

And the singer is keen to hear from any other descendants of women who played for the team.

The women played from 1920 to 1928, drawing large crowds and beating many teams, including an all-male police team and the ‘unofficial world champions’ Dick Kerr’s Ladies, who Rutherglen beat 2-0 in September 1923.

And playing for the side, for at least some of that time, was captain Sadie Smith.

Sadie passed away in the 1960s and Eddi had no idea until recently that she had played football.

In a Twitter post, the former Fairground Attraction singer said: “Just found this out, my namesake Sadenia – my dad’s mum – was captain of the Rutherglen Ladies Football team in the 1920s, Sadie Smith (married grandad Reader).

“Where are descendants of all the Rutherglen Ladies? Or are they all like I was, removed from our history and rootless?

“Come on people, talk.. . who’s left before they leave us. My gran Sadenia “Sadie/ Deena” passed in the 1960s but two of her kids are still alive.”

The team was coached by James Kelly, who’s granddaughter Dorothy Connor has researched and written about the team, including giving a talk at the Town Hall about the side.

Dorothy said: “Women’s football is huge now but these women were the pioneers.

“Kelly’s Rutherglen Ladies became Scottish Champions in 1922, the same year women’s football was banned in England.

“In 1923, they thrashed the reigning unbeaten world champions The Dick Kerr’s Internationalists 2-0 at Shawfield, having been banned by Rutherglen Town Council from using the recreation ground, and then became the unofficial World Champions until a ban was later brought in by the Scottish Football Association.

“These women raised huge amounts for exservicemen’s charities after the First World War.

“It makes my heart burst with pride to know that their proud legacy is still being carried on by women today.”

Talk ... who’s left before they leave us

Girl power Kelly’s Ladies Football Club, from Rutherglen Family affair Rutherglen Ladies captain Sadie Smith (top) , the grandmother of Scottish singer Eddi Reader (above)