Ian Green

IAN GREEN was born in Forres, Morayshire in 1934, the son of a Highland piper and head gardener. The changing life in rural Scotland resulted in many moves until the family finally relocated to Edinburgh where Ian completed his education. He followed his father into gardening and began an apprenticeship. When National Service beckoned, Ian signed for three years in the army, serving as a vehicle mechanic in the REME, including two years in Korea and Japan. He was demobbed in 1955 holding the rank of full corporal. Another change of direction saw Ian join Edinburgh City Police, later Lothian and Borders Police, in which he served 30 years. During this time, he married his wife June and raised three children. Ian gained wide police experience in various specialised departments before being promoted to sergeant and latterly inspector, retiring in 1985. During his service Ian pursued an interest in folk music and was involved in many aspects of the music - as organiser of the Police Folk Club (Fuzzfolk), co-editor of Sandy Bell's Broadsheet, co-founder of the Edinburgh Folk Club, concert promoter and assistant to Dr John Barrow, director of the Edinburgh Folk Festival. In between times, Ian found time to grow and exhibit award-winning chrysanthemums, and represent Scotland in the Annual International Angling Match. In 1986, Ian launched Greentrax Recordings which has become one of the most successful independent record labels in the UK. Many awards have been bestowed upon Ian, including the Hamish Henderson Award for services to traditional music, entry into the Scots Trad Awards Hall of Fame, and culmina ting in an honorary doctorate from the RSAMD in 2006. This autobiography looks at Ian's active, varied and interesting life as he turned 76 years of age.

Books by Ian Green:

Countdown to Scotland's first game against Haiti in the 2026 FIFA World Cup (UK time).

Days

Hours

Mins

Secs

Join the Conversation

Pie and Bovril Scottish Football Forum

r/ScottishFootball subreddit

Nutmeg Scottish football magazine

The Scottish Football Show podcast

The Tartan Army website

The perfect gift for Father's Day

We Are Scottish Football: World Cup Edition

We Are Scottish Football: World Cup Edition

Julie McNeill with photography by Campbell Ramage

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About the Book:

Here’s to the players who wear the shirt, thank you for giving us something worth rallying behind, and here’s to the supporters who kept believing even when we were out in the wilderness.

28 years of heartbreak are over, Scotland are back in the World Cup. With a pen dipped in passion, McNeill explores the emotional landscape of football, bringing to life the highs and lows, triumphs and tribulations that define the beautiful game in Scotland.

Reviews:

Praise for We Are Scottish Football:

In this unique and vivid collection of poems and photographs Julie McNeill makes sure we don’t forget the impact our footballing history has had on the world. STUART COSGROVE, author & presenter

A must read for any fan of football, history, poetry and Scotland. IAN MAXWELL, CEO SFA

In this wonderful book of poems and photographs Julie McNeill ties together the past and present of the game and highlights some of its outstanding moments, personalities and controversies. ROSE REILLY MBE, World Cup Winning Footballer

A poetic tribute, capturing the soul-stirring drama and devotion that make Scottish football an enduring and enchanting spectacle. PAUL ENGLISH, The Herald

Timely and well-written by a fine poet [who] acknowledges the popular roots of the male game while inflecting these through a modern female gaze. ALISTAIR FINDLAY, Morning Star

About the Author:

Author photo of Julie McNeill JULIE McNEILL, poet, author and workshop facilitator, specialises in creative writing workshops and talks, focusing on mental

health and supporting individuals with additional needs. Author of Mission Dyslexia and two poetry collections, she’s the Poet in Residence for St Mirren FC Charitable Foundation and the Makar for The Scottish Women’s National Football Team Poets Society. Her performances include notable events like Wigtown Book Festival and StAnza International Poetry Festival.