- Tartan Army
The
Tartan Army is a name given to fans of theScotland national football team . The name derives from the wearing oftartan at football matches and when travelling abroad.During the 1970s, Scotland fans became notorious for their hooliganism, particularly after they invaded the Wembley pitch and destroyed the goalposts after the England v Scotland match in 1977. [ [http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-493501/Wait-till-Tartan-Army-sees-new-Wembley.html Wait till the Tartan Army sees the new Wembley!] , "
Daily Mail ",November 13 2007 ] cite book |last=Smith |first=Adrian |coauthors=& Porter, Dilwyn (eds.) |title=Sport and National Identity in the Post-War World |publisher=Routledge |date=2004 |id=ISBN 0415283000 p77] Since then, the Tartan Army have won awards fromUEFA for their combination of vocal support, friendly nature and charity work. [cite web | title=The Tartan Army | url= http://www.scottishfa.co.uk/scottish_football.cfm?curpageid=1205 | publisher=Scottish Football Association | accessdate=2007-04-11] [cite web | title=Tartan Army Sunshine Appeal | url= http://www.tasunshineappeal.co.uk/ | publisher=Tartan Army Sunshine Appeal | accessdate=2007-05-16] The Tartan Army have been awarded a Fair Play prize by the Belgian Olympic Committeecite web | title=Tartan Army wins fair play award | url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/scotland/1682841.stm | publisher=BBC Sport | date=2001-11-29 |accessdate=2007-05-16] and were named as the best supporters during the 1992 European Championship. The fans were also presented with a trophy for non-violence in sport and were voted by journalists to be the best supporters for their sense of fair play and sporting spirit at the 1998 World Cup inFrance . [cite web | title=World Cup - France 1998 | url= http://www.t-army.com/tar_hool.html | publisher= t-army.com | accessdate=2007-06-12]Countries drawn against Scotland often welcome the arrival of their fans. [cite news|title=Tartan Army to Woo UEFA
publisher=The Scotsman|date=2002-04-21|url=http://news.scotsman.com/euro2008bid/Tartan-Army-to-woo-Uefa.2320374.jp|accessdate=2008-05-06] Scotland away matches are generally accompanied by a low level of policing due to their good behaviour over the years.Fact|date=May 2007In August 2008,
Irish Football Association chief executive Howard Wells criticised jeering from Scottish supporters during the British National Anthem, "God Save The Queen ", before a friendly international match. [ [http://www.teamtalk.com/football/story/0,16368,1914_4026519,00.html Lack of respect isn't Howard's way] ]ee also
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Football in Scotland
*Ally's Tartan Army References
External links
* [http://www.TartanArmyClubs.com Association of Tartan Army Clubs]
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