‘I help to keep our team afloat’ - running the world's most remote football club
He’s the greatest signing Eriskay Football Club’s ever made, but he’s barely kicked a ball for them.
Stephen MacDonald – chairman, groundsman, cameraman, chief fundraiser and team bus driver – will do almost anything to keep the club going.
Eriskay is based in the Outer Hebrides, but with a declining population, just getting a side together is a challenge.
"It’s a cliché, I know, but I do it all for the love of the game"
“We had two or three games last season where we struggled to field a team, but lots of clubs face similar challenges,” says Stephen, who took the reins when his own playing career petered out.
“I’ve done all I can to make sure there’s football on Eriskay,” he says – and his commitment to the club has seen him nominated for Sky Bet ’s search for Real Football No.1s.
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Despite his lack of playing time, Stephen spends hours ensuring others can enjoy football on the island.
Watch Stephen’s video here
“I run the social media and try to attract new sponsors beyond the local shop and pub. We also do fundraisers to keep afloat to try and make us sustainable."
“I played for another team before and going to Eriskay was always tough – the pitch was bumpy and even used to have a fifth corner, which was a talking point."
“We share it with the local wildlife. Before a home game we put a shout out for volunteers to cut the grass, line the pitch and clear the horse muck!”
Stephen braves the weather each week to film their games and help bring them to the masses, and the club now receives wellwishers from as far afield as America and Australia.
“The sky’s the limit really,” he says. “If we carry on like this we’re going to be a pretty well known club."
“It’s a cliché, I know, but I do it all for the love of the game. If I can contribute off the pitch it’s just as important. It goes hand in hand with island culture. There’s always been football here and there always will be.”
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Watch Stephen’s video here or visit SkyBet.com
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