Young Sportswriter of the Year: Runner-up 3

We are delighted to say that we got over 30 entries from universities across Scotland for this competition. Thanks are due to News UK Scotland, the publishers of The Times and Sunday Times Scotland and The Scottish Sun, for their support and encouragement. It's always good to see aspiring young journalists coming through the ranks and there were five entries we deemed good enough to be published here on our website. We'll publish the four runners-up first, followed by the winner. Here's the third runner-up, Zander Steele from Robert Gordon University.

How Scottish Football found its voice again 

Three o’clock on a Saturday afternoon. Chants echo from local pubs surrounding the stadium. Steam rises from hot pies as queues snake around the concourse. There’s a deeper feeling that the game is starting to find itself again, a feeling you only get once you enter the ground. After years of financial struggles, empty seats and questions over its future, football in Scotland is back, with a voice and passion to match. It’s not just a feeling; it’s the truth. In September 2025, a UEFA report revealed that “the Scottish Premiership’s 18.5 attendees per 1,000 people is 70% higher than any other league in Europe.” I spoke to Alan Russell, Chief Executive of Supporters Direct Scotland, who reinforced the same idea throughout our conversation: the attention, energy and even the money are returning. 

For a long time, Scottish football felt stuck. Outside of Celtic and Rangers, many clubs struggled to attract consistent crowds. Now, there’s a sense that supporters are buying back into something bigger. It’s not just about results; it’s about identity. 

A key part of that revival has been the rise of Ultras. Predominantly younger fan groups, they bring flags, banners, chants and noise, turning matchdays into more than just ninety minutes of football. Unlike casual supporters who came and went, Ultras create atmosphere. However, their passion often pushes boundaries. Alan noted, “The behaviours of younger groups of fans are difficult to manage for clubs… We’ve got a massive problem with pyros that doesn’t seem to be going away.” Incidents involving flares and controversial displays have led to ticket sanctions for Celtic and Rangers after League Cup matches at Hampden. They highlight the fine line between passion and recklessness. Despite this, Ultras remind everyone that football isn’t just about results; it’s about community, identity and belonging. 

Attendances have also been driven by a league that feels more competitive than it has in years. Celtic’s dominance remains, with their trophy cabinet telling its own story, but belief has returned elsewhere. Shock results are no longer unthinkable. Dundee’s 2–0 win over Celtic in October proved that on any given weekend, anything can happen. That sense of possibility fills seats. Alan pointed out that despite the financial imbalance, competition remains alive: “It’s very tough with the resources the two Glasgow clubs have, but clubs like Hearts and Aberdeen have shown it’s possible to compete.” With European qualification now more accessible, clubs have real incentives to push forward, bringing bigger teams and bigger nights to Scottish stadiums. 

Fast forward ninety minutes and the final whistle blows. Applause erupts. That’s what keeps people coming back. That’s why away fans spend hours on coaches for midweek fixtures. Football in Scotland is more than a game; it’s a passion, a culture, an identity. This is the moment for the game to reassert itself on the European stage. The difference in skill is prevalent, but the passion is unmatched, and in Scotland it’s the passion that continues to drive the game forward.