Our Primary School Poetry Competition Winners
Our poetry competition (in conjunction with Scottish Schools FA) started off in November 2024, with a launch event at the Beacon Arts Centre, Greenock. The competition asked the budding poets and artists of Inverclyde Primary Schools to submit their football poems and pictures for a chance to be published in the match day programme at the Scotland v England Schoolboys International on 28 February, 2025.
Here’s the winning entries in the programme…
Moorfoot Primary School was selected as the overall winning school and here’s their entries…
The competition was a huge success with hundreds of entries and its well done to all the primary school.
7 Days (years) of the Hampden Collection and The Seven poetry Videos of Christmas
To celebrate the 7th anniversary of the Hampden Collection and to shine a light on the brilliant poetry that you keep sending in expressing your love of football and community, we have a special treat! Seven poetry videos in seven days from past and present Hampden Collection Makars, rounded off by a tribute from Peter MacKay himself, captain of the Scottish writers team and newly appointed Makar of Scotland.
DAY 1 : Mount Florida Bloodline by Stephen Watt
DAY 2: Grass Prisms by Jim Mackintosh
DAY 3: We are Scottish Football by Julie McNeill
DAY 4: Cathkin by Hugh Mcmillan
DAY 5: Houston Girls by Donna Matthew
DAY 6: My Ball by Gabrielle Barnby
DAY 7: Barisa by Peter Mackay
DAY 7: Baresi by Peter Mackay
Happy Birthday to the Hampden Collection and other 30 December notable events are…
1873 James McBride was born. Renton, Liverpool and Manchester City footballer
1886 Andrew McCrae was born. Falkirk and Queens Park footballer.
1887 Peter Johnstone was born. Celtic footballer.
1899 Ibrox Stadium is opened
1937 World Cup Winner and England goalkeeper, Gordon Banks is born.
1939 Bradman scores 267 South Australia v Vic, world record 34th double cricket century
1946 Berti Vogts, World Cup Winner and Scotland manager was born.
1961 ‘Champagne’ Charlie Nicholas was born. Scotland, Celtic, Arsenal and Aberdeen footballer.
1972 Paul Bernard was born. Scotland, Oldham, Aberdeen, Barnsley, Plymouth Argyle, St Johnstone footballer.
1991 Susanne Nilsson was born. Siberian International Goalkeeper
2009 A Premier League match (Portsmouth v Arsenal) kicked off with not one Englishman on the field. The starting line-ups included 7 from France as well as players from Iceland, Algeria, Croatia, Ghana, Cameroon, Russia, Bosnia, Belgium, South Africa, Israel, Scotland, Wales and Ireland.
‘Football For All’ – August 2024
On the 50th anniversary of the women’s football ‘ban’ being lifted, the Hampden Collection is recognising this significant chapter in Scottish football history by releasing a collection of poems that cover the diversity of our beautiful game. Our Poets brilliant poems can be found in this collection… ‘Football for All… download it from the link.
It’s hard to believe now that there was a ‘ban’ in place. However, despite significant restrictions and attempts to undermine and suppress their game, women continued to play.
It’s a time to reflect and think. To stand together to ensure that our game is inclusive, open to all. To consider if there’s anything we can do better in the current game to make that ideal a reality.
While you reflect, enjoy the poetry from our poets, who have taken the opportunity to submit their poetry to the Home of World Football Poetry @ https://hampdencollection.com/the-world-home-of-football-poetry/
The Scottish Cup final 2024
Celtic v Rangers
IMagine if cups were awarded to the team whose fans wrote the most passionate, skilful, heartfelt poetry?
Cmon you fans of Celtic and, Rangers! Get your poems in!
Are you Bard enough!
The first poem of the final is from a Celtic poet…
Poem no 2 is also from a Celtic poet…
The Scottish Cup Semi finals 2024 Poetry Results
Aberdeen 1 v Celtic 4
Hearts 3 v Rangers 2
Our Makar, Hugh Mcmillan, explains how the #poetrypredictor works …
The full ‘Scotsport’ highlights package…
The Hampden Collection 