The SFA has announced its support and membership of the Football’s Square Mile Alliance, which has been formed to recognise, preserve and promote some of the earliest and most significant origins of association football in Scotland.
Led by Graeme Brown, and a likeminded and talented group of volunteers and enthusiasts working collaboratively as The Hampden Collection (‘The Hampdeners’), the Football’s Square Mile project has very humble beginnings but lofty ambitions.
Billed as the world’s biggest open-air football museum, Football’s Square Mile contains 21 football heritage sites which collectively represent the point of origin for the modern passing, running and combination game, a game that is now enjoyed by 3.5 billion people around the world today.
Brown, Founder of The Hampden Collection, explained: "Football’s Square Mile is free of charge, with no queues, no opening or closing times, and accessible to every football fan on the planet. Our new website explains the roots of the beautiful, people’s game and we are inspiring people to learn more about Scotland's pioneering role in the evolution of world football. Our objective is to achieve UNESCO world heritage status for Football’s Square Mile and celebrate the Scotch Professors, who took their game to every corner of the footballing world."
Ian Maxwell, SFA Chief Executive added: "Through our planning for a number of significant Scottish football anniversaries between 2022 and 2024, the Association has been impressed by the work undertaken by The Hampden Collection to promote, and contextualise, the rich and diverse history of the Scottish game. The group’s delivery of a contemporary series of Fitba 150 events exploring the early history between cricket and football, the birth of men’s and women’s international football, and the first international match between Scotland and England was genuinely inspirational. The Football’s Square Mile project provides a fascinating insight into the people, places, and events that have helped to shape the story of Scottish football, and I’m delighted that we have been joined today in pledging support for the project by our longstanding friends from Glasgow City Council and Glasgow Life. The Scottish FA looks forward to working with The Hampden Collection and its fellow Football’s Square Mile Alliance partners in the future development of this exciting project."
Chair of Glasgow Life, Bailie Annette Christie said: "Football’s Square Mile Alliance will celebrate Glasgow’s rich football heritage and tell the story of how international football at Hampden developed over the years. It’s a fascinating and exciting project that promises to bring visitors to Glasgow to discover how international football flourished here and reveal more stories of Scottish football."
For further information on the Football’s Square Mile project, and The Hampden Collection, please visit the links below: