Q & A with Archie Macpherson

MARIA FYFE was a trailblazing Scottish politician, representing the Labour Party as the only female Labour MP from Scotland when she was first elected in 1987. Fyfe served as the Member of Parliament for Glasgow Maryhill, a constituency with deep-rooted socio-economic challenges, for 14 years. Throughout her time in office, she became a tireless advocate for the people of Glasgow, particularly focusing on improving conditions in poverty-stricken areas of the city.
In Parliament, Fyfe was known for her unwavering commitment to social justice, advocating for better housing, healthcare and education for her constituents. She used her platform to address systemic inequalities, working to ensure that the voices of Glasgow’s most vulnerable were heard at the highest levels of government.
Beyond her work in her constituency, Fyfe was a passionate champion for gender equality in politics. She campaigned tirelessly for the equal representation of women in all levels of government, understanding the importance of women’s perspectives in shaping public policy.
Maria Fyfe stepped down from her parliamentary role in 2001, but her influence and advocacy continued long after her retirement. She remained politically active, dedicated to her lifelong causes of social justice and women's rights.
Countdown to Scotland's first game against Haiti in the 2026 FIFA World Cup (UK time).
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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.
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
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.