Renowned actor and football fan Dougray Scott tackles Scotland's remarkable role in creating the modern game, examining how the foundations were laid for a style that is admired worldwide.
He uncovers the stories of early pioneers who created passing and running as a game-changing strategy that would give Scotland a dominant position, inflicting record defeats against England in the early years of the rivalry.
The documentary highlights iconic players and teams who shaped football’s modern framework - from influential squads like Queen's Park FC to leaders such as Andrew Watson, the first black international footballer who captained the Scotland squad in 1881.
Dougray learns how some of these pioneering players - known as the ‘Scotch Professors’ - were lured south to teach their English counterparts this new approach.
With the help of football historians and experts such as Andy Mitchell and Richard McBrearty, he discovers the Scottish influence boosted the development of the game beyond these shores and as far afield as Latin America.
Dougray charts the footballing rivalry between Scotland and England, looking at how the Scots dominated their southern opponents in the late 19th century before the tables were turned. During his journey he’s surprised to discover previously unknown family connections to those early, pivotal matches.
He looks at the evolution of woman’s football, with Scotland initially leading the way before closing the door. He meets former international footballer Rose Reilly who fought to play for Scotland in the 1970s but re-located to Italy after being snubbed by the authorities in her homeland.
Contributors include commentator and journalist Archie Macpherson, and former players, Jim McCalliog and Terry Butcher, who experienced the passionate on-pitch rivalry between England and Scotland. Dougray Scott: Bringing Football Home is a 14th Floor production for BBC Scotland.
Publicity contact: JG
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