Mystery backer adds another £1m donation

Scottish clubs have been boosted by another seven-figure donation to help steer their communities through the coronavirus crisis.

An anonymous donor has pledged £1 million to the Scottish Professional Football League, a sum which will be supplemented by £250,000 in gift aid.

Half of the money has already been handed over with the remainder to follow in June 2021.

The money has come from an associate of Edinburgh-based investment manager James Anderson, who gave £2.5 million to the SPFL, a sum which was supplemented by £625,000 in gift aid.

The 28 club charities and community trusts which are registered with the league will each be able to apply for £10,000 grants.

The remaining £220,000 of the initial funding will go towards the launch of Scottish Football United, a project which will also benefit from Anderson’s donation.

The initiative will unite clubs, governing bodies and national and local public agencies to create a focal point for future crisis planning and support for communities.

The gift aid portion will support pre-existing programmes such as a reading challenge and a scheme to bring isolated people together for Christmas meals.

SPFL Trust chief executive Nicky Reid said: “When James Anderson said he believed that his donation would be the start of something, he was absolutely true to his word.

“James has brought forward someone else whose donation and future commitment will make a significant difference to the lives of so many.”