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Details
Ref: Scotland v England Ladies Match (for charity); “Beardmore’s Munition Girls v Vickers’ Munition Girls”.
Date: 2 March 1918 (World War One Era)
Overview
A charity ladies’ football match was held at Celtic Park in 1918, and was billed as a Scotland v England match, which could always be guaranteed to pull in the crowds, whatever the circumstances.
This match was played during wartime (the war ended later that year in November 1918), any big time football games were of keen interest. This seemed like a good marketing & morale boosting opportunity for the ladies game.
The match, played on 2nd March 1918, was actually between the works teams of Vickers-Maxim at Barrow-in-Furness and (William) Beardmore’s at Parkhead, or more formally: “Beardmore’s Munition Girls v Vickers’ Munition Girls“.
Wouldn’t mess with these ladies since they all work in the munitions factories. The match had plenty of shots on goal and reports said there was an explosive atmosphere at the game. Scottish winger Mishelle McGrain who plays for the Gunners, rifled in the first goal with a missile like shot but Mary Cannon, the Bolton Bomber equalised for the English.
The Vickers team won 4-0 with goals from Dickinson (2), Bradley and an own goal! The more mysognist in the support might not be suprised to know the first goal was an own goal.
The curious aspect to this game was the entertainment for this game which included both a plane from the local Dalmuir Works to visit the ground and an exhibition by a Mr Handford of his skill as a “donkey expert”! Changed times indeed.
Both William Beardmore & Co and Vickers were major contributors to the war effort. Sir William Beardmore was committed to the production of weapons and munitions, often making investments without government guarantees.
As well as the main works at Parkhead and Dalmuir, several other factories were taken over to produce a range of war materials, including artillery, shells, warships, aeroplanes and airships. There was a labour shortage, which led to the employment of many thousands of women, particularly in munitions works.
The near location of Celtic Park to the munitions bases is likely the reason for the choice of playing the game at our hallowed ground, and a proud little mark it is too for our club.
There was also a return match, which saw a more respectable 2-2 draw in Barrow-In-Furness in front of a crowd of 5,000.
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