Scottish Green MSP wins top award for free-to-air football campaign
Scottish Green MSP Gillian Mackay has received a prestigious award from Scottish Football fans for her campaign to get the Scotland men's team on free-to-view TV. Today Ms Mackay received the Scottish Football Supporter’s Association chairman’s award alongside former SNP MP Gavin Newlands.
Last night's Scotland win was the first match to be aired on free-to-view television after years of campaigning by the Scottish Greens and fan organisations to make football accessible for all.
The SFSA annual award winners were announced on BBC’s Off the Ball last month just ahead of the decision being made to bring the men’s games back onto terrestrial television for fans across Scotland.
Ms Mackay said:
“Watching Scotland win last night was great, and so is the fact that households all over the country were able to do so on free-to-view television.
“I’m absolutely honoured to be receiving this award. It is really lovely that the work and campaign is being recognised by the fans.
“Without the years of campaigning from fan organisations we wouldn’t be here in the first place, and I am grateful to have played a part in pushing forward to get Men’s football over the line and on to free-to-air television, just like the Women’s side have had for some time now.
“Football is for the fans, and financial or geographical barriers shouldn’t be a reason to stop people enjoying and supporting Scotland’s national side.
“My hope is that last night’s match aired on television will feel like a big win for Scotland fans everywhere and serve as inspiration for the future generation to fall in love with football.”