Iain leads Scots out for crucial qualifier

Apr 9 2009 by Eric MacKinnon, West Lothian Courier

A LINLITHGOW youngster earned the chance to lead Scotland’s football heroes on to the Hampden turf last week after winning a national competition.

Eight-year-old Iain Laver from Linlithgow fulfilled a football dream by leading the boys in the famous dark blue jerseys on to the pitch for last week’s World Cup Qualifier between Scotland and Iceland at the National Stadium.

Iain was given the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be a player mascot and lead out the teams, courtesy of McDonald’s — the Scottish FA’s official community partner.

The player mascots for the game were chosen after winning a national competition aimed at Scotland’s grassroots footballers.

Iain was joined at the game by his family, who watched as their son led the cream of Scottish football out of the tunnel to be greeted by the Tartan Army before the crucial World Cup qualifier.

Iain said: “Walking out on to the pitch with the players was amazing,” he said. “It’s an experience that I’ll never forget.

“I wish I could do it at every Scotland game, and I can’t wait to get back to school to tell my friends about it.”

Thomas Kelly, McDonald’s director of operations in Scotland, said: “We’re proud at McDonald’s to have given Iain the chance to meet his football heroes and to enjoy the match up close.

“It’s great to give youngsters this experience as it’s something they will remember forever.”

McDonald’s and The SFA, community partners since 2002, have developed a community coaching programme to raise standards in grassroots football.

The programme has created over 1400 community coaches across Scotland since 2002, providing over 80,000 children with access to quality programmes during school time.

For more information on McDonald’s coaching programme, please go to www.mcdonalds.co.uk/beactive