There hasn’t been many individuals that have shown as much commitment to the female football scene in Cumbria since the late 90s than Rebecca Scott.
Her association with the game she so passionately loves has lasted for 28 years, with her influence on the game and its development immense, be that as a player and latterly as a coach.
The players alongside her have been inspired by the determination and ability that she displayed on the field. Having Becky on your side meant your back was covered and you were never alone.
She started out with the first version of the Reds Ladies in 1997, before moving on to Windscale Ladies in 2002. While there, she had a successful time winning two leagues titles as well as Regional Cup success.
A brief spell at Carlisle United Ladies followed, before returning to Reds in 2012, where she played and for a time captained the team until she retired in 2019.
She then went on to be goalkeeper coach, building on her previously work under the Cumberland FA as part of their Girls Development Centres.
She is a multiple Cumberland Cup winner as a player and as a coach and she signs off her time in the game on the back of Workington Town Women’s County Cup success last Wednesday, facing some of her old foes for the last time in a competitive arena.
Becky said: “When I first started there were no such things as junior teams or school teams.
“At 14 I went straight into adult football. To now have been a part of a club that has a full junior section and a path ways through to adult football is amazing and a testament to the work behind the scenes that has been done and the support from Workington Town.
“It has been a privilege to have played a part in the changes at the club over the past years and to know that the routes to adult football is in a far healthier position as a result.
“Over the years, players have become not just team mates but family and great friends.
“I’ve had the joy of working with some truly incredible talents within the Cumbria game, there was real sense of pride watching the club lift the Women’s Cumberland County Cup in my last game.
“Along the way I’ve had the privilege to work under some fantastic managers, none more so than Paul McKenzie.
“Between us over the last few seasons we have been through every emotion there is to go through, but each one has made our resolve stronger.
“I am forever grateful for the experiences, the growth and the memories I have made together with this group, but for me now is the right time to step away and have what I hope most people would say is a well earned break.”
Workington Town Women’s manager McKenzie added: “Becky’s passion for the game is huge as too is her defence of the sport she loves.
“She has battled to positively promote female football throughout her entire career, both as a player and a coach.
“She absolutely puts her money where her mouth is, I’ve never seen her take a step backwards in her pursuit of giving her all for the club.
“This was clearly evident in the only game I’ve seen her play for the club, a league encounter against champions elect Blackpool at a time when we were short of numbers.
“We knew we were up against it, but her never say die attitude kept her going throughout, even though her injuries were mounting and energy levels running low. Her performance was akin to that of Terry Butcher’s for England in the World Cup Qualifier in 1989.
“On a coaching perspective, her attention to detail and meticulous planning, meant every session was delivered with the same intent as the previous, with absolutely no half measures.
“Everyone at the club is sad to see Becky step down, but at the same time totally respectful of the decision she has made and the influence that she has made to the game for over a quarter of a century.
“We wish her well with whatever comes next in her life, but remain unsure if she can ever replace the void that has been left by her decision to step down.”
The club will start to look for her successor and potentially other coaching support over the next few weeks.
