A popular Perthshire poet has been charged with keeping the history of the Scottish national stadium and national game alive through his writing.
Jim Mackintosh has been appointed as the new poet in chief of The Hampden Collection – a group of artists dedicated to the preservation of the history, community and story of Hampden Park.
It is the second time Jim has joined forces with football after becoming the first poet in residence at a Scottish football club when he was appointed to the role by St Johnstone in 2016.
Following the announcement of his new role, Jim said he was excited to highlight the significance of the national stadium.
Jim said: “I’m delighted to be involved in what is a hugely important part of not just Scotland’s football story but highlights the global significance of Scotland’s place in the development of the international game.
“Experience has taught me that there is more common ground between poetry and football than perhaps one would imagine and if you add to that the historical importance of the the site of the first Hampden, then there is the perfect blend of passions to express through poetry.”
The Hampden Collection was established in 2017 to celebrate the three Hampden Parks and all who played on them.
The original Hampden Parks was the first ever recognised international football stadium and was home to Scotland’s oldest football club Queen’s Park.
Graeme Brown, who helped found The Hampden Collection, said he was delighted to have the Perthshire poet on his team.
Graeme said: “We are deeply honoured that one of Scotland’s foremost poets, Stephen Watt, is handing over The Hampden Collection’s poet in chief baton to another phenomenal Scottish poet.
“We are delighted to have Jim aboard for the new season and look forward to his poetic mastery, which will help promote our mission”
Jim’s first project will be to to help raise awareness, through poetry, of the collection’s mural created by their artist in residence, Ashley Rawson, which they hope to display on the pavilion of the Hampden Bowling Green – the site of the first Hampden Park.
