A Tartan Army fan who trekked from Glasgow to Munich for the Euros has been nominated for FIFA’s best fan of the year award.
Craig Ferguson chalked up an incredible 1000 miles, travelling solo through six countries on route to the Bavarian capital in June. The former hospitality worker, from Paisley, took on the challenge to raise cash for men’s mental health charity Brothers in Arms.
He received a hero’s welcome as he arrived at the Marienplatz square in the heart of the city just one day before Scotland’s opening match against Germany. And after raising a whopping £80,000 during his fundraising campaign, his efforts have not gone unnoticed.
Last week the football supporter was nominated alongside just two other fans for The Best FIFA Fan Award 2024 – which the global football organisation say “recognises that supporters across the globe help make the beautiful game exactly that”.
Craig, 21, told the Record: “I thought it was fake in all honestly. I couldn’t believe that my efforts had been noticed by FIFA themselves.
“It feels surreal to me that a young enthusiastic Scotland fan like myself had a silly idea which spiralled into a movement. Raising a huge £80,000 and now to be getting recognition from the official FIFA best awards is a dream that young me would have never believed.”
Craig left from Hampden Park in May and arrived to a guard of honour and the world’s media before spending the following weeks watching football and drinking with the Tartan Army.
Since then he has been keeping up with his commitment to raising awareness for men’s mental health and has even become an official ambassador for Brother in Arms.
He has also been continuing to grow his social media channels through showcasing his travels and other adventures – and now he’s hoping to scoop the FIFA best fan award, which he says would just be the “icing on the cake” of a crazy year he could only have dreamt of.
He added: “In terms of the ceremony itself I haven’t yet received any information, but it would be a huge honour to be in attendance. Especially considering some of the superstars that will be there – and also it would be good to show off the glorious kilt to the footballing elite.
“I feel with this nomination, not only am I representing myself but representing the whole nation, showcasing the kind-hearted and warm nature that so many complimented us for in the summer.
“I will always do my best to represent Scotland in the best light possible and – who knows – maybe, just maybe, someone representing Scotland’s national team is finally going to win something!”
The 2024 FIFA Best awards will be presented at a ceremony in January 2025. No date has yet been revealed for the ceremony but elite sporting stars such as Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe – who have both been nominated for the best men’s player award – are expected to be in attendance.
The best supporter prize, which has been handed out since 2016, looks to highlight a story, a moment or a gesture by a fan or group of fans. Craig is up against Jose Armando Guzman Mendoza, of Mexico, and Guilherme Gandra Moura, of Brazil, for the gong. To vote, click here.
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