QOS support bigotry campaign
Written by author on April 19, 2016
The campaign to rid Scottish football of bigotry rolled into Queen of the South this week, joined by one of country’s leading football writer
Daniel Gray teamed up with the anti-sectarian charity Nil by Mouth to deliver the latest night in their ‘Kiss Bigotry Goodbye’ tour which seeks to highlight the positive points of the beautiful game. The event was held at Palmerston with support from the Queens Trust. Writer and broadcaster Daniel regaled a healthy crowd with extracts from his books Stramash, Railwaymen, Hatters and Knitters and exclusive readings from his soon to be published third football book. Daniel also had the chance to show off his skills in a pre-gig kickabout on the Palmerston turf. Daniel’s books include chapters on Queens and Dumfries.
‘Kiss Bigotry Goodbye’ was launched last summer by Nil by Mouth and hundreds of people have taken part in events including quiz nights, school sports competitions, penalty kick competitions and online campaigns encouraging fans to post images of what make them love the game. Support from the Scottish Government ensured all ten dates on the tour are free of charge.
The quiz included rounds on Queen of the South history and special picture rounds featuring some of the country’s stadiums and players
Nil by Mouth Campaign Director Dave Scott said: ’This was a brilliant night against one of the most evocative of footballing backdrops. Everyone at the Queens Trust and the club have gone out of their way to make us welcome and we are grateful to QoS for offering us use of the club bar and promoting the campaign across its website and match day programme. Groups like the Queens Trust are the very lifeblood of our game and we were delighted with the support we received. Daniel Gray is one of the brightest writing talents in the country and his words and reflections on the high and lows of the game always chime with genuine football fans. His childlike enthusiasm as he had the chance to play on the Palmserston turf made my night!
We’d like to thank the Queens Trust for getting behind this event and helping show the real face of Scottish football. The purpose of this tour is to remind people that the vast majority of fans are decent people and we can be rivals on the pitch without being enemies off it. We’d like to thank the Trust for getting behind this event and helping show the real face of Scottish football. ‘
Daniel Gray Said: “What we’re trying to do in this campaign is celebrate the wee things that make football such a special thing to be part of. They can be shared or individual, and one for me is walking around a corner and seeing floodlights, and that’s exactly what you get with Palmerston. Some places feel like home even if you’ve only been a couple of times, and this is one of them. It was extra-special to read from Stramash about Queen of the South, underneath that grand main stand. It felt like I was taking those words home. Palmerston was already special to me – I think it’s one of the loveliest grounds in the world – and, somehow, it has become more special. Getting on the pitch and scoring the greatest header seen there since Basher Houliston in his prime helped, of course.
If you want one example of the unity and power of football, it is this: the night ended with me talking with a Millwall fan. A Millwall fan and a Middlesbrough fan chatting on common ground and laughing in Dumfries. That, for me, is why this is the glory game.’
