Gillian’s Life In Women’s Football
By Rod and Josie Prescott
On January 27th 2010, Gillian’s Coffin was taken on its last journey into Church by retired Wigan Ladies Players Vanessa McLeod (Gilly’s Godmother), Angie Gallimore (ex England), Karen Platt (ex Wigan Manager), Sharon Fieldhouse (ex Wigan Captain), Yvonne Gagen (ex Wales Captain) and Kerry Harding, with this being overseen by her other Godmother, Sheila Parker (first ever Captain of England with 33 caps) and Leanne Taylor (record 403 Wigan Appearances).
Around 500 people had packed into Christ Church, Parbold and the above ladies so kindly requested to do this final act, in memory of those far away days at the old Robin Park Sports Centre, when the same “young girls” , would carry David and Gillian’s heavy double buggy across the muddy pitches, to where the D.W. Stadium now stands today.
When Gillian and David where both diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy during Season 1991-1992 they where adopted by all the teams in the N.W.W.R.F.L. then totalling 40 Clubs . Each team then raised money in various sponsorship activities, to help pay for much needed specialist equipment for the twins.
A central fund was set up by Wigan Ladies Player and Treasurer Mary O’Grady and for two seasons, a Representative side “The friends of David and Gillian” played in the Pre-Season Vernon’s Tournament at Preston.
From 1992 to the present day, Gillian and David where always invited to give out the three cups on the League Cup Finals Day, usually held at prominent Non- League grounds. At the League’s Annual Presentation Evening, Gillian and David would again be asked, to give out the main cups and players medals, to the winning players….. an unique honour, that they were so proud to be part of.
In 2005, when she was 15, Gillian entered and won a National Newspaper Competition, to draw the front cover to the F.A. Women’s Cup Final Programme between Charlton and Everton, played out at West Ham United. She also won a Fair Game competition to design a Women’s Football Kit and kindly donated it to Liverpool Feds, now of the Northern Combination, as they could not afford a new kit of their own, at that time!
At the League’s Presentation Evening of June 6th 2008, Gillian proudly read out a tribute, with certificates, to Vice Chairman Geoff Konopka, for 25 years service to Women’s Football and Harriet Miller, for 10 years unbroken service as Chairperson to the N.W.W.R.F.L.
Just some of the Women’s Clubs that Gillian has been invited to be a Mascot for the day where, Accrington Stanley, Atherton Colls, Blackpool W.R., Bolton Wanderers S.G., Chorley, Darwen, Lancaster City, Liverpool Feds, Manchester United, Mond Rangers, Poulton, Preston North End, Rhyl, Runcorn, Stockport County, Warrington and Wigan!
Our recollections of Gillian’s involvement in Women’s Football could go on, from drawing out the Cup Draws and Raffle Ticket Winners at the League Council Meetings, to making daisy chains as a little girl, to give to players and spectators alike, stood on the touchline …. Such happy memories that will stay within our family forever and ever! R.J.P.
