Sign up for national service with Football Aid’s ultimate football experience – playing for Scotland at Hampden

Issued by Football Aid March 2005

Your Country Needs You!

Ever dreamt of pulling on the revered dark blue of Scotland and running through the tunnel onto the hallowed turf of Hampden? Of proudly lining up alongside your teammates and singing a rallying rendition of ‘Flower of Scotland’ as the haunting cry of the bagpipes pierces the air? Do you dream of the roar of the crowd as the whistle blows signalling the start of the match and hearing the foot soldiers of the Tartan Army chanting your name? Have you ever dreamt of stepping into the boots of former Scottish football legends and into your own piece of Hampden History?

"I remember the first time I pulled on the Scotland jersey and stepped out onto the pitch at Hampden. To be honest, words cannot describe the emotions that run through you. A mix of pride, excitement, awe, fear… For fans to experience that sort of feelings themselves? Well, it’s priceless. Football Aid makes dreams come true."

If the answer is yes, there are tantalising times ahead with the launch of Football Aid’s ‘Play for Scotland’ event at Hampden, Football Aid’s second international event in association with the SFA and their sponsors BT. In an exciting development of the very successful Football Aid formula, dedicated fans get the chance to ‘Live the Ultimate Dream’ and play in an officiated 90 minute game alongside former Scottish football heroes. Danny McGrain, Joe Jordan, Gordon McQueen and Gary McAllister are just a few of the legends who showed their support to Football Aid last year by playing and managing in the event. This year’s game takes place on 5th June – a massive week for Scottish football all round with the World Cup qualifiers against Moldova on the 4th and Belarus on the 8th.

A colossus as captain of Club and Country and Football Aid’s Vice Patron, Danny McGrain said,

"This event is fantastic for Scottish football – it is a novel idea which gives something back to the fans, a thanks for their continued and dedicated support. The chance to experience footballing glory on a personal level at Hampden is a once in a lifetime opportunity and the fact the money raised goes to charity, helping many people, makes it all the more special."

Joe Jordan who was capped for Scotland 52 times, was delighted to return to Hampden last year and couldn’t wait to see the fans in action.

"I remember the first time I pulled on the Scotland jersey and stepped out onto the pitch at Hampden. To be honest, words cannot describe the emotions that run through you. A mix of pride, excitement, awe, fear… For fans to experience that sort of feelings themselves? Well, it’s priceless. Football Aid makes dreams come true."

Football Aid started four years ago to raise money to find a cure for diabetes and so far has risen over £1.5million. It raises money by hosting events at the UK’s largest clubs giving supporters the chance to ‘Live the Dream’ and play where their heroes have played in an officiated 90-minute game of football on the hallowed turf of the club that the participants support. Whilst enjoying the chance of a lifetime, the fans are helping support local, national and international projects through Football Aid’s multi-beneficiary grant award scheme. In this funds raised go not only to Diabetes research, education and management but are also shared with charities nominated for funding by the Clubs that host the events.

The ‘Play for Scotland’ event raised £18,000 last year with ChildLine, the nominated charity of Football Aid’s sponsors BT, receiving significant funds enabling them to train more volunteer telephone counsellors to take calls from children and young people in distress or need. Anne Houston, Director of Childline explained,"In order for us to maintain and expand ChildLine’s much needed service for children and young people, we have a constant need to raise more funds and recruit more volunteer counsellors. It is through local organisations like Football Aid that we will help to ensuremore children and young people get the support they need."

So are you are a budding McCoist, McGrain or McAllister? Now is YOUR chance to find out. For the ultimate football experience, visit www.footballaid.com and secure your place in the National team.

• Scottish businessman, Craig Paterson, founded Football Aid to raise funds for diabetes charities after his son was diagnosed with Type 1 (juvenile) diabetes aged 11. As the charity has evolved, a proportion of the funds raised continue to go to diabetes research with the remainder going to charities nominated by participating clubs.
• To secure a position at a Club in one of this year’s Football Aid games, willing participants should visit www.footballaid.com , register and bid to play. Positions will start to be closed on 7th of February ‘05.
• Participating clubs this year are:

  o Premier League; Arsenal, Aston Villa, Birmingham City, Blackburn Rovers, Bolton Wanderers, Charlton, Chelsea, Crystal Palace, Everton, Fulham, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, Middlesborough, Norwich City, Southampton, Tottenham Hotspur, West Bromwich Albion

  o Championship; Leeds United, Leicester City, Sunderland, West Ham United, Wolves, QPR, Sheffield Wednesday

  o Scottish Premier League;Celtic, Heart of Midlothian, Rangers

• Players will compete in a 90-minute game on the pitch of their chosen Club; wear an authentic personalised club strip (which they get to keep). Each team will be captained and managed by former club legends and official FA/SFA referees will referee the match. Games this year will take place towards the close season, largely during April, May and June.

For more information, please visit www.footballaid.com or contact Football Aid by telephone on 0131 220 5999 or e-mail at info@footballaid.com.

Additional information and photo opportunities available on request.