EVERY primary school class in Glasgow will receive a brand new football ahead of the Euros.
This is thanks to close to 100 kids and family members who dribbled a ball from Scotstoun to Hampden.
The event was part of the charity efforts of Scotstoun-based football hub On The Ball Academy who have pledged to raise £15,000 to gift 1,095 footballs before Scotland face Germany in Munich – which is 1,095 miles from Glasgow – on June 14.
Ryan Docherty, On the Ball’s CEO and founder, said: “There will be a lot of passion and enthusiasm from young Glaswegians for football this summer – we don’t want anything to stand in the way of that.
“There are a lot of circumstances that can cause young people to take the wrong path. Through football, we want to support the community and help to transform lives, helping children across Glasgow overcome the challenges they face.
“Giving kids a ball seems like a small gesture, but resources are stretched and these balls will be played with by thousands and thousands of kids, many of whom come from underprivileged backgrounds.
"This is opening the door to the positive life experiences football can bring, it’s about so much more than just about finding the next Andy Robertson – although that would be great too.”
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Their fundraising efforts received a major boost thanks to donations from a number of Scotland stars past and present, including Scott Brown, James Forrest and Ryan Christie.
Rangers defender Connor Goldson also pledged support by donating a signed shirt, while Celtic star Greg Taylor gave up a signed pair of boots.
Ryan, who is also Pollok FC first-team coach, added: “We have developed this project through our unwavering commitment to supporting children and families throughout Glasgow to improve their mental and physical well-being.
"We are very grateful to Glasgow City Council Education department for their support, which will ensure that every single classroom in Glasgow has access to a football at the kick-off of Euro 2024."
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