Sixth tier Scottish club wins prestigious Uefa award after saving 'critical facility'

Pollok United have been received the 2025-26 Best Grassroots Club award for their role in providing the local community with opportunities in football and well-being.

The Glasgow team has transformed three disused sporting facilities in the city, including the 21-acre Nethercraigs, to create “an inclusive home for football and community activity”.

After the COVID-19 pandemic forced Nethercraigs to shut, the club worked with the city council and local partners to take over and reopen the site.

"It saved a critical facility in the south-west of Glasgow," says Andy Elliot, Pollock manager. "The facility is absolutely in the heart of the community and we needed to open it up."

Now, in addition to Pollok United, around 150 other local teams use the facility regularly, bringing the total of users per month up to 10,000 – including spectators and community use. "Every team that comes here are seen as a partner and will get the same welcome and opportunity," adds Elliot.

Beyond football, local schoolchildren, asylum seekers and refugees are all beneficiaries of the club’s facilities, and the club works hand in hand with the Scottish government’s "New Scots" programme to support integration for newcomers.

All members of the community can access a gym, dance studio or athletics track, but most importantly, it is a place for people to come together. "It’s great that folk are just getting out of the house and we can provide access to the facilities," added Elliott.

The Scottish Football Association has hailed Pollock United as an example for others to follow in the way they provide football and other services to their community.

"We want our community clubs to anchor themselves within the community and provide other services, not just football," says Paul McNeill, the Scottish FA's head of community football. "Football is the key, but we also talk about the ‘power of football’ to involve all members of the community in different ways."