Determined to play, nine-year-old Julie Fleeting’s life in football began with a local boys club. It was the first step in achieving a dream she didn’t even know existed. From playing professionally in America to winning multiple honours with Arsenal, and scoring more goals for Scotland than anyone else, Julie has consistently inspired, empowered and led from the front. In a story of tenacity and triumph, Julie’s journey in football is also one of family, humility and respect.
Broadcast on BBC ALBA in 2022.
Julie Fleeting MBE is the most successful modern day Scottish footballer but she has fallen victim to a deep-rooted lack of equality in the coverage of women’s sport, and in particular in Scotland, women’s football. Indeed, for most of recorded history, women’s success has been side-lined or silenced.
Despite her achievements Julie is not the household name she deserves to be. A prolific goal-scorer and a consummate professional, Julie ravaged oppositions throughout a twenty year career played in Scotland, the United States, Iceland and England, Julie was at her most prolific with Arsenal.
In 2007, she became the first, and to date, the only Scottish woman to have won the prestigious Champions League, known then as the UEFA Women’s Cup. As well as her success in European competition, Julie won 17 major honours with Arsenal, and was named FA’s Player of the Year in 2005. During this period, Julie was working full time as a teacher in Kilwinning and flying to London every weekend to play competitive football at the highest level.
The film about her extraordinary life features Julie, her family, friends and former team-mates and amazing archive.
Writer / Producer / Director: Margot McCuaig
Filmed: Gavin Hopkins
Editor: Kenny Park
Narrator: Iona Ballantyne
