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Scotland Fan Shares Touching Story As Team Play At Major Finals After 23-Year Wait

Scotland Fan Shares Touching Story As Team Play At Major Finals After 23-Year Wait

As Scotland took to the field at Euro 2020, one fan shared a touching tribute to those who won't be there to see it

Tom Wood

Tom Wood

A Scottish football fan has shared a heartbreaking story, paying tribute to an absent friend who couldn't join him today in Hampden Park as Scotland faced off against Czech Republic in their first match at a major tournament since 1998.

Scotland qualified for Euro 2020 back in March after a dramatic penalty shootout against Serbia, finally ending the 23-year international football drought.

On the eve of the match, a Twitter user called @TheTartanScarf shared a story in which he paid tribute to his friend Jason, taken away too soon by illness, and the thousands of others who aren't around to see the Tartan Army back in the big time once again.

He wrote: "Before Scotland play Czech Republic tomorrow - ending 23 years away from Major Finals, I want to share a personal story.

"I want to tell you about my friend Jason."

Twitter/The Tartan Scarf

"I met Jason in Trafalgar Square in 2013 before Scotland's friendly with England. I was on the plinth of Nelson's Column and helped pull him up.

"He was working in London at the time and, with no Scottish friends in London, had turned up alone.

"He was the kind of guy you got on with instantly. Within a few minutes it was as if we'd known each other for years.

"We stayed in touch after that day and enjoyed Tartan Army trips to Germany, Ireland, Slovakia and another trip to Wembley.

"The thing you need to know about Jason is he was the life and soul of every party.

"He never saw an empty dance floor he couldn't fill - physically or with his presence. Here, in Dusseldorf we persuaded this woman to join us for a boogie."

Twitter/The Tartan Scarf

The story continued: "He had a kind, generous spirit.

"In 2017 Jason was diagnosed with cancer. In 2018 he lost his fight. Our lifelong dream was to watch Scotland at a Major Finals.

"It breaks my heart that tomorrow, I will achieve that without him.

"Part of my motivation for sharing this is my story is not unique.

"Everyone will know a sibling, parent, aunt, uncle or friend who dreamed of seeing Scotland return and aren't with us to see it."

He concluded: "Tomorrow, while Hampden will be at 25% capacity, it will be full of those who are no longer with us.

"When Flower of Scotland plays, let's remember them.

"Our absent friends."

Since he shared this remarkable story, thousands of people have liked and shared his story, as well as reminiscing about their own family and friends who are no longer with us to witness Scotland making history.

He later uploaded a picture of himself at Hampden for today's match, holding a picture of his friend, simply writing: "We made it."

Twitter/The Tartan Scarf

While the game itself might not have pleased them today, let's hope they all enjoy their day and raise a glass to their lost loved ones.

Featured Image Credit: Twitter/The Tartan Scarf

Topics: SPORT, UK News, Football, Euro 2020, Inspirational, Scotland