Alex Scott receives surprise induction into National Football Museum Hall of Fame

Alex Scott MBE, former England and Arsenal footballer and pioneer for women’s sports punditry, has been inducted into the prestigious National Football Museum Hall of Fame.A star on BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing, Scott received the award this week at a surprise ceremony held at Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium.

The award was presented to her by former team-mate, captain of Arsenal and England and fellow Hall of Famer, Faye White.

Alex Scott, said; “This is a huge honour to be inducted into the National Football Museum Hall of Fame and a massive confidence boost for me ahead of the weekend.

“To be named alongside some incredible legends of the game is something I am very proud of and is something I will treasure forever.”

The honour came as a boost ahead of this week’s Strictly Come Dancing show where Scott has progressed to week 10 of the series with dance partner Neil Jones.

The Hall-Of-Fame Awards, supported by the Professional Footballers’ Association, celebrate the achievements of those who have made an outstanding contribution to the game, either on or off the pitch.

Tim Desmond, CEO of the National Football Museum, said: “Alex follows Cyrille Regis as our second inductee for the refreshed Hall of Fame which aims to be more representative of those special football people who have made an outstanding contribution to the game of our lives. Alex has paved the way for women in football and led a sea change when it comes to equal and fair representation of women in sports media.

“We’re delighted to have Faye presenting the award as a former teammate of Alex’s and fellow legend of the women’s game and at a venue that is close to their hearts where they went on to forge outstanding careers.”

Former Arsenal and England team mate, Faye White, added; “Alex is a very worthy inductee into the Hall of Fame.  She has been a trailblazer for the women’s game both on and off the field and I am proud to be able to welcome her into the club.

“You could see from her emotional reaction what it means to receive this recognition for all the hard work that she has put in over the years and she fully deserves the recognition she has received.”

Alex Scott first signed with Arsenal at the age of eight, before going on to spend most of her career with the club, scoring the winning goal in the 2007 UEFA Women’s Cup Final and eventually being named captain in 2014. She played a key role in the team’s FA Women’s Premier League victories of 2005 and 2006, as well as one of their most successful seasons on record where they won four trophies from 2006-2007.

Scott also made 140 appearances for England, including at the 2007, 2008 and 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cups, and represented Great Britain at the 2012 London Olympics.

Since her retirement in 2017, Scott has made a successful career in broadcast television, becoming the first female pundit on Sky Sports and the first female pundit at a World Cup when she presented the 2018 FIFA World Cup for the BBC.