Girl Footballer (1961)

Gravesend, Kent. M/Ss of a group of young boys getting into their football kit next to the pitch at Westcourt School. C/U of some football boots being tied; tilt up to show they are on the feet of... “but what’s this, a girl?!“ says commentator, and goes on to say nine-year-old Megan Lear is one of the stars of the football team. The referee blows a whistle; the team run onto the pitch and jump up and down to keep warm before the starting whistle blows and Megan kicks off. Various shots of the match; commentator says “The cry was once ’votes for women’ - now it’s goals!“. Megan is seen taking a penalty shot which the goalkeeper saves. Nice M/S of a group of boys sitting on a bench and cheering. More shots of Megan playing in the match. Note: print used for telecine transfer is quite badly scratched; mute neg is incomplete. On file is a small news article about ’The half-back girl’. Cuts exist - see separate record. FILM ID: A VIDEO FROM BRITISH PATHÉ. EXPLORE OUR ONLINE CHANNEL,