Message from Stuart Murphy, CEO, The Scottish Football Union

The Scottish Football Union is the country’s biggest fan group. We act as a cross between a trade union and a think-tank, with an affiliated membership of over 102,000, consisting of individuals, supporters’ groups and clubs. As part of the Scottish Government’s Round Table on ‘Enhancing Scottish Football,’ we have direct, regular contact with the most senior individuals at both Holyrood and Hampden.

At the end of last year, in association with Walking Football Scotland and Chest Heart and Stroke Scotland, we conducted a substantial, statistically extremely robust study (over 1,000 responses from the c. 5,000 men an women who play Walking Football, from over 100 clubs from the Orkneys to the Scottish Borders) looking at the costs and benefits of the game.

Survey Results

This research is part of our wider commitment to disability and inclusion, which also included organising the first forum for disabled fans and players for one two years. This was held at McDiarmid Park in May 2026. There is a report on this here:

Joining the dots-Disabled fans, disabled-players

In addition, the SFU is working with Hampden to help create a more coherent fans’ group for the women’s game. You can see more about this here:

Scottish women football fans

We are also working directly with Scottish Refereeing to help encourage more fans to take up a whistle. This includes conducting a major study for the Head of Refereeing and his Head of Recruitment. With the huge growth in Walking Football (to say nothing of women and girls’ football), the demand for match officials is growing and needs fulfilled. Our work in the area has included a fascinating interview with Andy Halliday, the Referee Liaison Officer for Walking Football Scotland.

Andy Halliday Interview

Finally, amongst many other areas of our work, we strive to promote the brilliant work that Scottish clubs’ Community Foundations/Trusts do, with many interviews available on our social media (Facebook, X, TikTok and YouTube).

Please do join us and support our work. Membership is free and you can sign up as an Individual or affiliate your club at this link:

Join us

About

The main objectives of the event are.

to raise funds for our nominated charities on the day, through fees to participate, some football related challenges and donations in the lead up to and during the day

to enable our partners to discuss their own services to those watching and participating throughout the day and identify specific resources they have available that could contribute to improving the health and wellbeing of those attending or others they care for

to reduce the long-term burden on the NHS by enabling people to improve their own health and wellbeing

to raise awareness of the benefits of walking football to people in the target audience groups. i.e. attract new people to come along, for them to participate for an hour or so, and hopefully be encouraged to attend walking football sessions at times and locations that suit them best.