BILLY BREMNER MEMORIAL JOIN OUR CAMPAIGN
Date: 5th December 2025
2025 11 29 Never Give Up
Remember when a game was 90 minutes? There was an option given to the man or woman or non-binary person of putting on a few extra minutes due to issues that had happened on the pitch – injuries, substitutions and the like. The introduction of VAR has meant that it is quite normal for us to regularly see 93rd, 95th, 97th minutes appearing in the game.
Just as well really.
When Melissa Andreatta became head coach of the Scottish women’s team, little did she realise that in our DNA, apparently is, never to give up.
In the 93rd minute against Switzerland there was a goal which nearly brought us back into the game and finally in a draw against Ukraine, just last week, the Celtic striker, in her debut, Maria McAneney managed in the 95th minute to score for a draw. The Scots had dominated the game to provide us with at least a draw in the friendly. OK so we had to hold on to beat China after cruising at 3-0…
After the Ukrainian game, Andreatta bellowed, “we never stop.” She was inspired, she claimed, by the Scottish men’s team. Kieran Tierney got the third in the 93rd and Kenny McLean got the fourth and final goal of the game in the 98th – mind it?
Never give up seems to be a new part of our DNA. But is it that new?
And is it more prevalent off the pitch than on it.
If you’re a Partick Thistle fan, then over the last year, you’ll know what I’m talking about. In the last few years, you will have noticed just exactly how difficult it has been to create any kind of influence in your club. Of course, we all know that fan membership of a board is not necessarily going to bring all the results that we expect, but without supporters, according to Jock Stein, what is football?
It’s nothing.
Hamilton Academical supporters right now are going through a similar phase of worry and concern. Every single month, there seems to be yet another story that leaks out of what has been happening at the Accies or with the Scottish Football Association throwing yet another bomb in amongst the mix.
To be fair to the SFA, they’ve done nothing particularly wrong, although some could suggest that in a members’ organisation, the membership should get something for their fees.
But the real blame is with the owners. Fans, steadfast and ready though they are to follow their club to the ends of the earth, hope that the end is nigh for this regime, especially as their manager having not been paid, has gone too. So, any way of hastening change is to be welcomed.
Many clubs have faced financial struggles to survive. Up and down the SPFL there have been some strange decisions from people with power in Scottish football.
Whilst the Jamestown analytics at Tynecastle seems to be paying an incredible number of dividends for Hearts fans, they will never forget the point at which it was suggested that they should merge with Hibernian during the 80s. That was fought against and repelled. They have also come through the Romanov period and the very real possibility that they would end up being in administration or worse. Their campaign along with Ann Budge was an example for all.
Rangers’ fans can sympathise. They still have the scars of the battles that were undertaken to continue their legacy and govern when the Greens and the Whites promising gold but without the brass to deliver it arrived at the front door. The sight of John “Bomber” Brown atop a bus calling for the deeds of Ibrox to be displayed is something that many will never forget. But the greatest memory will always be when your newly saved club win something, and Rangers did so under Steven Gerrard.
Collectively, there is always strength.
We may have hit the Richter scale when Hampden erupted for Kenny McLean’s goal, but we should consistently remember that we are not alone. We must consistently ensure that we have the opportunity to hold hands and campaign for what is right and what could be good in Scottish football.
That, again, is never more prescient than it is now.
We have an opportunity to influence the political leaders. Why is that important, I have been asked on a couple of occasions.
Well, let me tell you. Legislation sits predominantly in one place and one place only. It sits in a parliament.
So, when it comes to things like a ban on pyrotechnics, or a regulator appointed, or alcohol being banned in stadia, or looking at whether or not we can have standing in terraces, guess where much of that will be debated at the highest level?
It won’t always be at Hampden.
And the pressure that you can apply on the beaks, and the blazers and the ones who have the ability to manage our national game, come not only from collective might and strength, but also from influencing those who, when they chap the front door at Hampden, are unlikely to be led away.
Supporters’ groups will get an invite; MSPs will demand an audience.
That can often be the difference and so you get a chance if you haven’t done so – join with us. You know the drill if you’ve been reading this regularly. Down below click on, click in and switch on to being part of the supporter’s organization that never gives up
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