The women of Carnoustie Panmure FC will never forget their surprise trip to the National Stadium, Hampden Park.
Their weekly recreational football match caught our eye when we learned of its life-changing impact on one of the players, Farrah Mackenzie – who rediscovered a love of the game, reversed her diabetes and transformed her family life.
What quickly became apparent was that Farrah was no isolated case.
Our friends at EE – lead partner of the Scotland National Teams and supporters of the grassroots game – were equally impressed and wanted to do something special for them.
The squad were told that Sam had pulled some strings and had arranged an after-hours whistle-stop look-around Hampden.
What they didn’t expect was to be greeted by the Scotland Women’s National Team manager, Pedro Martinez Losa, who gave the group a pep-talk in the away dressing room.
From there, it was on to the recently-revamped warm-up area, where Scotland’s players are put through their paces before taking to the pitch.
Sam told them that there was an opportunity to ‘have a quick look’ at the home dressing room and there were huge cheers when the women discovered personalised Scotland training shirts waiting for them.
Those cheers were replaced by a stunned silence, and then roar of approval, when Sam introduced the next surprise – SWNT’s all-time top goalscorer, Julie Fleeting.
Julie, who was clearly blown away by the reception, probably didn’t anticipate being secretly tasked with announcing the exciting news of a player’s pregnancy – but it was that kind of night!
Just when Carnoustie Panmure FC thought that was that, they were informed that they’d need those training shirts for a kickabout on the hallowed turf, with Sam laying on a coaching session and small-sided games – and Julie unable to resist the urge to pull on her boots and join in.
The Scotland legend said: “This group of girls just have the best attitude to life and football. They enjoyed every second of it and to be part of it was amazing.
“I saw the videos about Farrah and Sam’s stories. The two of them are incredible and I could relate to a lot of it. There were so many bits that reminded me why I started playing football in the first place.
“Then to see them all so excited, dancing, singing, laughing… it makes you miss it. You can see the strong relationships they all have with each other, even though they’re different people from all walks of life.
“Football is about so much more than kicking a ball about on the pitch and these brilliant girls reminded me of that.”
Proud Sam added: “Ever since Farrah’s video came out, the demand has been crazy. We’ve had to add a second session on a Sunday night and we’re up to 60 women in the wider group.
“It’s hard to put the night at Hampden into words. They just thought they were there to maybe get a quick look at the museum.
“It was incredible to have Pedro and Julie there. Pedro’s doing a great job with the Scotland women’s team and so many of the players in our game now enjoy going to watch the SWNT as a big group.
“Julie? I grew up idolising her. So many of the women in our game did. She was a proper trailblazer. I hope she enjoyed herself because she was great with the girls, rolling up her sleeves and getting stuck in.
“She probably didn’t expect to end up announcing Chelsea’s pregnancy, but she even took that in her stride. That was such a special moment as it’ll be the first wee baby in our game.
“I can’t thank the guys at EE enough for everything they did to lay on a once-in-a-lifetime experience like that.”
The last word goes to goalkeeper Mandy Grant, who was in fine form between the sticks on the big stage at Hampden.
She said: “It was just incredible. As a wee girl it was always my dream to play at Hampden and it was everything you’d hope it would be – phenomenal, emotional, surreal.
“Walking onto the pitch at the National Stadium was the most incredible, humbling, heartwarming experience. I kept looking around, trying to remember each moment.
“We’re all from different backgrounds. We have different jobs and personality types. Yet we all come together through football.
“We’re just there for each other. We’re each other’s biggest supporters. I love those girls and playing with Carnoustie Panmure is the best thing I’ve ever done.”
Learn more about Farrah's story.
Hear how Sam's game has transformed lives.
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