Junior football's faces join forces to support anti-bigotry education

Nil by Mouth’s mission is to educate young people about the dangers of sectarianism and bigotry and this year, the number of pupils taking part in its United Against Division programme topped 4000.

The charity was set-up by former Glasgow Times Scotswoman of the Year Cara Henderson in response to the murder of her school friend Mark Scott in 2000.

Recently, Govan-based Benburb FC hosted the annual Alex Gourlay Cup which sees retired junior players from a range of clubs take part in a special Legends competition to raise funds in support of Nil by Mouth’s work in schools in the greater Glasgow area.

Benburn FC, who hosted the event (Image: Nil by Mouth)

The event featured former players from Auchinleck Talbot, Arthurlie, Beith, Benburb, Largs, Port Glasgow, St Anthony’s, Troon and a guest team from the cult PG and Dak Junior Football Podcast.

It is the third time the event has been held in support of Nil by Mouth with more than £2500 being raised for the charity.

The United Against Division programme brings children from different faiths and traditions together for a range of educational, sporting and cultural activities.

Cara Henderson, who founded Nil by Mouth

In addition in 2022/23, the charity delivered training to teachers in North and South Lanarkshire and education students at the University of Strathclyde in order to equip them with the skills they need to recognise and deal with any sectarian attitudes or language they may encounter.

Pupils from Whitehill Secondary School in the East End raised £3000 for Nil by Mouth as part of the Young Philanthropy Initiative, highlighting the impact of its work on their community.

Nil by Mouth Director Dave Scott said: “With the ending of Covid restrictions last year we knew it was important to hit the ground running when schools restarted in August.

“We set ourselves the target of reaching 4000 young people over the course of the school year. Last week we reached that goal and it’s lovely that so many junior football clubs and supporters came along to help us start to prepare for next year’s programme."

He added: “It shows football can be an ally in terms of facing up to sectarianism."

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Over the past 12 months, Nil by Mouth has worked in almost 100 schools.

Dave added: “It would be very naïve to think that sectarian attitudes are not passed on to children but having been involved with the charity for more than a decade I can see significant, positive changes in young people’s attitudes from when we started the programme back in 2011.

“Amid the noise and anger that often seems to be engulfing our society it’s heartening to see such strong interest in a programme which encourages sharing and listening, seeking to build new bridges over old walls and help a new generation find its voice on the issue.”