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Scottish Football Supporters Association
editThe Scottish Football Supporters Association (SFSA) are a voluntary, non-profitable organisation funded by donations from the fans and other interested parties who believe that it is essential that the interests of the key stakeholders are represented and that football clubs and the football authorities are held accountable to those stakeholders. It was set up to help facilitate fans having a voice at the highest level of Scottish football. Founded on the 9th April 2015 at the West of Scotland cricket ground by Paul Goodwin and Simon Barrow, and supported by former Scotland captain, Gary McAllister. At the time, they were the only country in Europe without an independent fan’s organisation, where fans voices are heard.
The SFSA splits their role into four key areas:
Fan Representation; they believe that having a strong, vibrant fans movement allows them to act as a focal point for any organisation to hear the views of the Scottish football supporters, whether it is the media, the Scottish Government, or national and international football authorities.
Supporting Community Ownership; they believe that football clubs are best served by having the interests of their community at heart. The SFSA believe that the long term future of the game of football is best served with football supporters playing an ever increasing role in the management and ownership of their clubs.
Campaigns; Orchestrated campaigns have been lacking in Scotland for many years, with footballing authorities and many clubs regularly ignoring the will of the paying public when it comes to the implementation of changes to the game. Their intention is to campaign as a group on key issues that effect not only how the game is currently run, but look to exert pressure to get the authorities to take the views of the people into consideration when they make decisions.
Research; they believe that in order for the game to improve, they must be constantly evaluating it and researching ways it can improve. The knowledge, commitment, and love that the fans have for the game has so much value and yet is often dismissed by clubs.
Membership
editThe SFSA are a voluntary, non-profitable organisation, therefore anyone can join, it is open for three sets of fans, whether it is individual, supporters societies/associations, and affiliates (various different fan sites). All can join, completely free of charge. Over 80,000 fans are now members of the Scottish Football Supporters Association.
SFSA Partners
editBack Onside A Scottish Charity looking to tackle and support those with Mental Health issues. Their work sees them working at all levels of sport but also the wider communities, schools and businesses in various capacities. They offer a variety of support levels and have the experience and expertise within their network including 1 to 1 counselling, workshops, and focused activities to assist with recovery and the promotion of a healthier lifestyle.
GamTalk UK Founded by Paul Pettigrew, he hosts sessions to educate teams, schools, youth clubs, and looks to support individuals struggling with gambling addiction.
Her Game Too Founded by a group of 12 female football fans, Her Game Too is tackling the issues that they and many other women have experienced whilst watching or playing football. Despite only being launched in May of 2021, the group have had immense support from across the game and many clubs across England have now agreed to work with them to break the stereotypical idea of the “man’s game”.
Homes of Football Home to the fantastic photographic work of Stuart Roy Clarke. He has been a keen supporter of the SFSA in which many of his photographs of Scottish clubs have featured in SFSA campaigns.
What they have done
editSFSA Fans Awards
There are multiple awards to be won including:
- Men’s Player of the Year
- Women’s Player of the Year
- Manager of the Year
- Worldwide Scot Award
- Referee of the Year
- Goal of the Year
- Fan of the Year
- Grassroots Club of the Year
- Lifetime Achievement Award
The Scottish Football Supporters Association have been running the SFSA awards since 2016, where the fans have their say on who stands out in the Scottish game. The awards are sponsored by paperweights and artglass company, Caithness Glass. Scott McTominay was the overwhelming winner of the Men’s Player of the Year for his impressive Euro Qualifiers campaign, scoring 7 goals. Steve Clarke won his third Manager of the Year award for leading the national team to their second European Championship in a row. Erin Cuthbert won her fourth Women’s Player of the Year as her Chelsea side continues to dominate the Women’s Super League. Lewis Ferguson was awarded the Worldwide Scot of the Year thanks to his quick development in Italy, with Bologna.
Past Winners
Men’s Player of the Year
2023 – Scott McTominay
2022 – John McGinn
2021 – John McGinn
2019 – John McGinn
2018 – Andy Robertson
2017 – Kieran Tierney
2016 – Leigh Griffiths
Women’s Player of the Year
2023 - Erin Cuthbert
2022 - Erin Cuthbert
2021 - Kim Little
2019 - Erin Cuthbert
2018 - Erin Cuthbert
Manager of the Year
2023 - Steve Clarke
2022 - Ange Postecoglou
2021 - Steve Clarke
2019 - Neil Lennon
2018 - Steve Clarke
Fan of the Year
2023 - No to B teams campaign team
2022 - Sandy Fyfe (Jags Foundation)
2021 - Poppy Lord (Scotland NT)
2020 - Paul McNicoll (Dundee United)
2019 - Colin Weir (Patrick Thistle)
2018 - Marvyn Stewart (Dunfermline Athletic)
2017 - Tom Feeley (Motherwell)
2016 - Margret Ross (Dunfermline Athletic)
Travelling Support of the Year
2021 - Tartan Army
2019 - Motherwell
2018 - Hibernian
2017 - Aberdeen
2016 - Aberdeen
Family Friendly Club of the Year
2021 - Motherwell
2019 - Livingston
2018 - St. Johnstone
2017 - St. Mirren
2016 - Ross County
Pundit of the Year
2021 - Ally McCoist
2019 - Chris Sutton
2018 - Michael Stewart
2017 - Michael Stewart
2016 - Chris Sutton
Writer or Blogger of the Year
2021 - Old Firm Facts
2019 - Old Firm Facts
2018 - Old Firm Facts
2017 - Tom English
2016 - Tom English
Goal of the Year
2023 - Scott McTominay (Scotland v Spain)
2021 - John McGinn (Scotland v Austria)
2019 - Stevie Mallan (Hibernian v Heart of Midlothian)
Lifetime Achievement Award
2023 - Gordon Strachan
2022 - Rose Reilly
2021 - Craig Brown
2019 - Sir Kenny Dalglish
2018 - Denis Law
2017 - Sir Alex Ferguson
Special Achievement Award
2022 - Fans Supporting Foodbanks & Hibs Dnipro Kids Charity
2021 - Tartan Army Sunshine Appeal
2019 - On the Ball
2018 - Shelly Kerr
Community Orientated Club of the Year
2021 - Stenhousemuir
Worldwide Scot Award
2023 - Lewis Ferguson
2022 - Caroline Weir
Malawi
The Scottish Football Supporters Association have been working with the Scotland Malawi Partnership to set up a sustainable certified football coaching programme in the country. In which Scotland’s premier football publication, ‘Nutmeg Magazine’ have looked into the project. Paul Goodwin (Director of the Scottish Football Supporters Association) and Jimmy Bone (former manager at St Mirren) made the 24 hour journey from Glasgow to Lilongwe, the capital city of Malawi, one of the poorest countries in the world.
This campaign is a great example of how football can be used for the greater good. The campaign aims to pursue a Scottish Government facilitation grant of £10,000. Additionally, the SFSA want to create pathways for Scottish football clubs and fans to donate football strips and boots to Malawi on a regular basis and build a strong relationship between the two countries. This would massively help support sustainable certified football coaching in Malawi and potentially lead to football scholarships there.
Support for Ukraine
In the March of 2022, the Scottish Football Supporters Association petitioned the Scottish Football Association (SFA) to urge UEFA and FIFA to support a motion that Ukraine should be granted automatic entry to the 2022 Qatar World Cup Finals. The SFSA Chairman, Andy Smith stated, “We believe that football has a rare opportunity to offer a supreme act of solidarity by allowing Ukraine the opportunity to automatically qualify by providing an extra space at the tournament.”
The SFSA believe that by granting Ukraine automatic entry to the 2022 World Cup would have been a simple solution that protects the sporting integrity of the game and offers football to show that it recognises the trauma faced by the war in Ukraine.
Defibrillators
In December 2021, the SFSA launched a campaign to increase the number of defibrillators at its member clubs, in a bid to help save more lives from cardiac arrests. The campaign is backed by Scottish Sports Minister, Ms Maree Todd, who made available an additional £250 grant for clubs, which was available from the 1st of January 2022.
Ms Maree Todd stated, “This is excellent progress but there remains more to do… Our aim is to equip a total of 1 million people in Scotland with CPR skills by 2026.” Additionally, Todd provided £25,000 in financial support to help grassroots football clubs purchase defibrillators.
Organisation Structure
editAs a growing volunteer organisation, they were set up organically to ensure that the needs of the fans are represented as quickly as possible. By the end of 2024, they intend to have positions in the organisation which are voted for by the members to ensure a democratic process.
Their first task was to set up a working party to put forward a range of proposals for the members to work towards. Fortunately, the SFSA have a range of volunteers from across the country who are willing to help build the organisation into a body that can unite to fully represent everyone’s needs.
Scottish Football Supporters Association Board
editAndy Smith (Chairman) From Inverness, Andy played a few games for his local side Caley before leaving, and eventually settling in Edinburgh, winning an East of Scotland League Medal during his long career with Spartans Football Club.
Simon Barrow (Vice Chairman) Simon Barrow is the director of the “think-tank Ekklesia”, which looks at how beliefs and values intersect with politics and society. Simon has been active in journalism, politics, and adult education for many years. He is a keen supporter of Dumbarton FC, where he was an associate director and media officer there from 2018-2020. He is also the co-founder of the SFSA.
Stuart Murphy (CEO) Joining the SFSA Board in 2021, taking over the CEO position from Paul Goodwin. A former Director and Chairman of Dundee Football club and is recognised as having played a pivotal role in the recovery of the football club following their administration in 2011. A season ticket holder at Dens Park (Dundee FC), Stuart has studied law, Public Administration, and is educated to Chartered Manager Institute level. He is passionate about the well-being of Scottish football from the grassroots up to the top level. Over the years he has built up a substantial number of contacts within the senior game ranging from the playing and managerial side to broadcasting and press. Stuart believes that fans should have a bigger say in the running of the game and is extremely motivated and driven to ensure that their voice is heard.
Alastair Blair (Director of Operations) Joining the board in 2024 after working as an adviser, Alastair is a football historian who has written extensively on St Johnstone, the club he has followed for many years. He has also written a well-received book on Scottish refereeing and the impact of Scotland on the laws of the game, and it was this that led to his introduction to the SFSA.
Stewart Gilmour (Board Member)
Diane Doig (Board Member)
Advisory Groups The SFSA has developed a range of working groups that are influential in moving the organisation forward. These groups include the marketing team, the digital and web team, the writers & bloggers, and the governance & transparency team.