Oral History Archive
Welcome to Football v Homophobia Scotland’s oral history archive! Despite football’s reputation for queerphobia, the LGBTIQ+ community has always been part of our national sport. Here we aim to record, preserve and share the personal stories of Scottish football’s LGBTIQ+ players, fans and officials at all levels of the beautiful game.
This initial series of interviews represents just a small slice of LGBTIQ+ Scottish football and its history. We know there are many more stories to tell and are excited to continue growing the archive, filling the gaps, and celebrating our community. If you have a story to share, please get in touch via Eloise[at]LEAPsports.org.
The exhibit below showcases snapshots of longer oral history interviews conducted between March and June 2025. You can browse the clips and listen the LGBTIQ+ people’s memories of football from the 1970s until today! The full audio recordings and transcripts of these interviews will soon be donated to the National Library of Scotland’s Sound and Moving Image Archive, where they will be made available to researchers and the public in perpetuity.
It is important to be aware that oral histories record an individual’s own memories, stories and perspectives and do not necessarily represent the full facts of any one event. Nevertheless, often called ‘the first kind of history’, oral histories have long been an excellent way to preserve personal experiences that may otherwise not be well documented. You can find out more about the discipline here.
Zander Murray
Professional football player
Interview date: 28/04/25
Zander Murray is the first (and only) Scottish player to have come out as gay in the men’s Scottish Premier Football League. Born in Glasgow’s East End in 1991, Zander has played for Scottish clubs since his youth, including Airdrieonians FC, Motherwell FC and Bonnyrigg Rose Athletic FC. Having come out in 2022, Zander is now an advocate for tackling homophobia both on and off the pitch.
On small moments at Gala Fairydean Rovers FC that gave him confidence to come out.
On internalised homophobia, stereotypes and hypermasculinity in men’s football.
On playing for an LGBTIQ+ grassroots team, how the environment is different from other clubs, and the importance of these spaces.
Maggie Murphy
Football fan and ex co-chair of the Proud Huddle
Interview date: 17/06/25
Maggie Murphy says that ‘the identifying components of who I am would be as a gay woman and as a Celtic fan in equal measure.’ Maggie was born in 1971 in Coatbridge, North Lanarkshire, and attended her first match at Celtic Park in 1980 when she was 9 years old. As an adult she joined Celtic FC’s LGBTIQ+ supporters group, Proud Huddle, which she co-chaired from 2022 until January 2025.
On being called ‘wee man’ by Tommy Burns at her first Celtic match in 1980.
On going to ‘the Jungle’ with her brother at Celtic Park as a child in the 80s.
On marching at Pride as part of the Proud Huddle alongside Celtic personnel.
On being a gay Celtic fan now, compared to in the past.
Thierry Fotso
Grassroots football player
Interview date: 14/05/25
Thierry Fotso was born in Bafoussam, Cameroon, in 1991, where he played for the Racing Club de Bafoussam Football Academy in his youth. Thierry moved to Glasgow from London in 2019. Having experienced racist and queerphobic discrimination on the pitch in England, he fell back in love with football again when he joined the grassroots 5-a-side team Yaas Queens Park in 2022.
On football as a tool for queer pride and self-expression.
On On his earliest memory of football, watching the Champions League in Cameroon.
On facing discrimination in football teams and how that changed with Yaas Queens Park.
On what it feels like to be part of a team.
Lloyd Wilson
Category One referee
Interview date: 28/04/25
Lloyd Wilson was born in Dumfries in 1990. He has climbed the Scottish refereeing ranks to become a Category One Referee for the Scottish Premier Football Leagues, as well as refereeing international fixtures. Alongside his colleague, Craig Napier, in 2022 Lloyd became the first openly gay participant in Scottish men’s football since Justin Fashanu played for Ardie and Hearts in 1993-4.
On how his sexuality was a barrier to football and how self-acceptance changed that.
On coming out to the football community and dealing with the intense media reaction.
On how coming out as gay has made him a better referee.
Dr Blair Hamilton
Football player and doctor of Sports Medicine
Interview date: 26/03/25
Dr Blair Hamilton has been a goalkeeper for football clubs in both Scotland and England, including Stonehaven Ladies, Saltdean United and the England Universities Select Squad. She was born in Irvine, North Ayrshire, in 1990 and came out as a transgender woman while playing for Aberdeen Grampian in 2018. Blair has a PHD in Sports Medicine and is at the forefront of research exploring transgender athletic performance.
On moving from playing men’s football to women’s football at Aberdeen University.
On being targeted by anti-trans campaigners and the media.
On supporting younger players in the game.
Stephen McDowall-Laing
Football fan and founder of Proud Jags
Interview date: 23/06/25
Stephen McDowall-Laing founded one of the first Scottish LGBTIQ+ supporters groups, starting Proud Jags for Partick Thistle FC fans in 2017. Stephen was born in Glasgow in 1965 and began attending football matches after leaving his strict religious upbringing, which forbade ‘worldly’ activities. Alongside Partick Thistle, Stephen is an avid supporter of Leeds United and the Scottish national football team.
On the relationship between sexuality, football and his strict religious upbringing.
On people who have impacted his relationship with football, including support for Proud Jags from ex Partick Thistle chairperson, Jacqui Low.
On feelings of joy, pride and community when your football team succeeds.
Acknowledgements
This project was made possible through the Scottish Football Museum Local Heritage Grants and National Lottery Heritage Fund: www.scottishfootballmuseum.org.uk.
Its success also relied on our excellent transcription volunteers, Simo Bradley and Mich Okada, as well as archival support and guidance from Louise Neilson (Lothian Health Services Archive; Lavender Menace Queer Books Archive), and Charlie McCann (National Library of Scotland).
The beautiful illustrations in this exhibition are by Scottish illustrator Maha Ghani. When she isn’t illustrating, Maha can be found playing in defence with Glasgow’s inclusive grassroots football community.
If you would like to support the continuation of this project as a funder or volunteer, please get in touch via Eloise[at]LEAPsports.org.
