A SPECIAL football match between Scotland and England will take place in Greenock this summer to mark the 50th anniversary of the first official women’s international fixture.

The girls’ under-15s sides will go head-to-head at Ravenscraig Stadium on Sunday May 15, almost five decades on from the iconic first game between the two nations at the same venue in 1972, after the ban on women’s football was lifted.

The fixture is being organised by Inverclyde Council in partnership with the Scottish Schools’ Football Association and with support from the English Schools’ Football Association.

On hand to officially announce the match were Councillor Jim Clocherty, depute leader of Inverclyde Council, Robert Allan, president of the Scottish Schools’ FA, Gillian Duffy, vice-president of the Scottish Schools’ FA and assistant U15s coach, and young football star Millie Paton from Clydeview Academy.

Robert Allan, president of the Scottish Schools’ FA, said: “It’s a great honour for this to take place here at Ravenscraig.

"Coming back to Greenock again for an international game is a big feather in the cap for both the Scottish Schools’ Football Association and Inverclyde.”

Mark Hignett, chairman of the English Schools’ FA, says the game will be the 'perfect way' to mark the 50th anniversary of the first international women's game.

The fixture will form part of a jam-packed summer of events as part of the council’s Meliora Festival, which will also include Gourock Highland Games, the British Pipe Band Championships, Inverclyde Warrior 5k and a visual arts spectacular being organised by the Beacon Arts Centre.

Councillor Clocherty said: “It is a fantastic honour for Inverclyde to not only be hosting an international match between Scotland and England but to be doing so to mark this special anniversary.

“I’m sure it will be an excellent showcase of the incredible talent coming through the ranks of the girls’ and women’s game, including our very own Inverclyde rising star Millie.”

Councillor Ronnie Ahlfeld, Inverclyde’s sports champion, attended the match back in 1972.

He said: "Although England won I remember it well.

“It’s not often Inverclyde has the honour of hosting an international sporting event and I’m relishing the opportunity to return to Ravenscraig to mark this important anniversary and to cheer on the next generation of stars.”

Scotland full-back Millie, who featured in the Tele recently for her international exploits, says she can't wait for the big match.

Millie said: “The talent is really good now all over the women’s game so it will be great to have it on display from both Scotland and England here where it all started.”

Gillian Duffy, vice-president of the Scottish Schools’ FA and U15s assistant coach, said: “It’s really exciting, especially for me coming from Greenock and knowing the history of the game around the area, to have an opportunity for our girls to play a home game in front of our home crowd.”