The SFU now has over 100,000 affiliated members!

The SFU now has over 102,000 affiliated members, cementing our position as the biggest independent fans' group in the country. Thank you to everyone who has signed up, whether individually or as part of a larger group.  By joining us, you can get your voice heard in the corridors of power, at both Holyrood and Hampden.  Here's what we're doing for Scottish football fans and it's this work that has attracted so much attention and interest. Please join us today !

• We are working with our friends at Supporters Direct Scotland and with the backing of the football authorities, we will conduct a Major Research Study to find out what Scottish Football Fans Really Want.  

• We have added a number of key figures in Scottish football as Ambassadors for the SFU As well as Ashley Reid, the CEO of Para-football Scotland, Vivienne McLaren for the Women's game, Scotland Legend Alan Rough and Calum Murray, the former Category 1 referee, who has worked with Ashley and the Referees at Hamdpen to create a new training course for Scottish referees to be able to officiate in the various different disciplines of Para-football.

• Our Young Sportswriter of the Year competition, sponsored by News UK (The Times and The Sun) was won by Alfie Robinson of City of Glasgow College. Congratulations to Alfie: you can see a photo of the presentation and read his winning article here.

• We are organising a major Forum for Disabled Dans and Para-football at McDiarmid Park, Perth, on 7th May 2026.  Bringing together DAOs, Para-football, Level Playing Field, Clubs' Community Charities and others, this will become an annual event, helping draw attention to the needs of our disabled fans and footballers and leading to action that improves their access to grounds and the facilities they receive when they are there.   

• We are continuing to with the SFA's Refereeing Team help promote refereeing and encourage fans to become referees. This includes meeting online with all 2 regional Refereeing Associations and also getting referee recruitment videos shown at half-time in a major Scottish club's ground during recent matches. Too many people only complain about referees: we are doing something about it by seeking to reduce the abuse they receive and improve the recruitment and retention of officials across Scotland.  No referee, no game!

• At the request of the football authorities, we are creating the first, coherent and wide-scale Group for Fans of the Women's Game.  To that end, we have had a number of meetings with fans from clubs from the Highlands to the Lowlands and will be organising a meeting with the women's CEOs at Hampden in the near future. 

• Our survey on the Costs and Benefits of Walking Football has been extremely well-received by everyone concerned.  There is now anecdotal evidence that the results of the survey had led to increased interest in Walking Football at a number of clubs across Scotland. In addition, our partners at Chest Heart and Stroke Scotland were delighted with the response to the specific questions in the survey concerning their work.

• The last Scottish Government Round Table on Enhancing Scottish Football was held at Hampden on 2nd March, attended by the SFU's CEO and Ops Director. The football authorities, whilst arguably reticent at first, became, in our view, far more engaged with the meetings and far more open to discussion about how Scottish football both benefits and contributes to the social and economic vitality of Scotland and, crucially, the part fans play in the game.This is reflected in their willingness to work with us and SDS on the major survey of fans' views (see above).

  One of the key themes of the Round Table over the last few years has been the question of a regulator for Scottish football.  It was interesting that when a paper was presented at this last session, the mood of the vast majority was that, while we should keep an eye on how the regulator is working (or not) in England, it is not something that Scottish football needs right now.  The cost (up to a £1M every year), at a time when Scottish football needs every penny it can get, is prohibitive on its own and the SFU would far rather see such money invested in grassroots, women's football and para-football and disability.

• Communities Our programme of interviewing Community Football groups, started with Cumnock Juniors and has now extended to the Foundation of Hearts, Hibernian Community Foundation, Dundee United Supporters Foundation, The Pars Foundation and Caledonian Braves, with Aberdeen Community Foundation, Dee4Life and The Hive Alloa likely to be taking part and published soon (with yet more in the pipeline).  The intention here is to highlight the amazing work these organisations do and bring this to the notice of fans.You can find our videos on our social media channels..

• We continue to be welcomed by the football authorities as an organisation that will act as a Critical Friend, asking awkward questions where necessary but also using our relationship with the people at the top of our game to get answers.  

• We are 'The Fans' Voice.'  Join us and make your voice heard!

Stuart Murphy, CEO, the Scottish Football Union