The Hampden Collection Reaches 7 Years of Age

Announcement - 30th December 2024

7 Years Ago Today

The Hampden Collection was started on 30th December 2017, and over the last 7 years, has promoted Scotland’s rich footballing culture through art, poetry, events and the written word, focusing on showcasing the 3 Hampden Parks and all who played on them. This has evolved over time, and we are delighted to celebrate another key milestone in reaching 7 years of age. Everything achieved has been through the willing dedication and time of our extraordinary group of volunteers and is to all of those we congratulate as we celebrate our 7th birthday.

Power of Poetry

Over the last 7 days, in true Hampden Collection style, we have posted 7 of our poetry masterpieces from our amazing Makars and poets through the years. The poetry collection has now grown to a magnificent collection of 58 SWNT poems, 89 Mens Team Poems, 13 Braw Words Poems, Our Special Collection of 27 poems, and the Makars list of 20 poems. When you add this all together, we now have over 200 poems charting the course of Scotland’s footballing history by the finest poets in the land, and also giving an opportunity for all footballing followers to pick up their pen and have a go themselves.

The Hampden Collection Mission

The Hampden Collection Team will continue to thrive and evolve as we stick to our mission of promoting the story of football. Our dedicated team of volunteers promote the history and culture of football through art, literature and research and advocates equality and inclusion in the beautiful game.

Football's Square Mile Mission

The Football’s Square Mile Team, in parallel, is continuing to develop the prospectus for the 21 sites around Glasgow and our ultimate mission of UNESCO status. This epic journey started out within The Hampden Collection set up on 1st April 2021, and through various events, research, tours and signposts, we are now on the way to protecting the cradle of the modern game. Our latest step was completed in December 2024, when we submitted the designation application form to Historic Environment Scotland for all 21 sites, and we look forward to working with them on the next steps of this journey.

Two Missions Under One Brolly

These teams work in parallel to create something unique in the world of football heritage under the banner of The Football’s Square Mile Co Ltd. This not-for-profit organisation is the umbrella organisation which will drive these respective teams forward as we cement Scotland as the World Home of Football.

Thank you

Thanks to you all. Every follower, volunteer, visitor, guest and enthusiast. All of you have made the last 7 years a bonkersly brilliant journey. If this is the first 7 years, who knows where the next 7 years will take us?

All the very best for 2025 when it comes. We cannot wait!

David, Graeme, Siggy, Julie, Barry, Rory, Hugh, Gabby, Donna, Fiona and Mel