SELKIRK has been included in a Scotland-wide Kiss Bigotry Goodbye tour later this month.

Anti-sectarian campaigners Nil by Mouth are visiting football-related venues up and down the country over the winter.

And they will bring their roadshow, which includes a football quiz, readings from an acclaimed football author and even a few selfie-stalls, to Yarrow Park on February 20 for an evening kick off after Garry O’Connor’s team have faced Edinburgh City.

Nil by Mouth campaign director Dave Scott told the Border Telegraph: “I live in the Borders and have enjoyed watching games across the area.

“Yarrow Park is a brilliant backdrop to a match and the club have big plans for the future.

“You have the links with Manchester City and Garry O'Connor has played at the highest level of the game.

“We hope local fans will come along on the 20th to hear Daniel Gray, who is one of the country's leading football writers, and take part in our special football quiz.

“There will be prizes and refreshments and it's tremendous to have support from the Scottish Government to allow us to engage with fans positivity.”

The ten-date tour which will see the charity visit clubs and supporters groups events in Glasgow, Dumfries, Selkirk, Coatbridge, Paisley, Cowdenbeath, Bathgate, Dundee, Kilmarnock and Ayr.

Support from the Scottish Government has ensured these events will be free of charge and the charity hope the tour will provide fans with the chance to learn more about work being done to tackle bigotry on and off the terraces.

Mr Scott added: “Some of the most iconic figures in football history hail from Scotland and the game is a hugely significant part of our culture.

“The behaviour of football fans can often attract negative headlines but we know that the vast majority of fans simply want to support their team and enjoy the beautiful game.

“There are many brilliant people involved in the game who run supporters buses, wash kits, drive kids to matches, coach teams free of charge and work behind the scenes at our clubs.

“This tour is a celebration of them and a chance for us all to focus on how the game brings people together each week.

“We all have our different teams and differing opinions, but we're all united by this love of the game, and its eccentricities.

“Sometimes it's easy to forget the joy, and forget that football isn't always the problem – it can be part of the solution. We hope as many fans as possible come along and join us in Kissing Bigotry Goodbye.”

Nil by Mouth was set up by teenager Cara Henderson after the brutal sectarian murder of her school friend Mark Scott as he made his way home from a football match in 1995.

Since then the charity has campaigned against sectarianism including recently seeking to give fans a vote on the introduction of ‘Strict Liability’ at SPFL football matches in an effort to tackle sectarian abuse in the stands.

Author Daniel Gray will be reading from a few of his best-selling football books during the evening event.

The Edinburgh-based writer is looking forward to another trip back to the Borders. He said: “I spent years bypassing The Borders, speeding through on the East Coast line.

“What a mistake. About two years ago, I began to spend time in the area and fell a little bit in love with it – the countryside, towns and wee villages.

“It’s also one of the most relaxed, welcoming parts of Scotland. I always knew about the fine rugby union tradition in the area, but have only recently started to appreciate the footballing scene too.

“I am very much looking forward to Selkirk, from the match to the evening, and hope folk come along for a few hours of escape and celebration.”

Nil by Mouth has been active in the Borders over the past year, working with senior pupils at Selkirk High School and running a number of events with Gala Fairydean Rovers.

The event at Yarrow Park is free with prizes up for grabs and a free buffet on offer as well as a licensed bar.

And the doors will be flung open to football fans from across the Borders.

Ross Anderson, chairman of Selkirk Football Club, said: “We are delighted to be hosting the Nil by Mouth event later this month.

“We very much support the work of Nil by Mouth and would love to see fans from across the Borders come along and enjoy the evening

“We have a fantastic fixture against the league leaders in the afternoon followed by an evening of football entertainment – why not make a day off it.”

The Kiss Bigotry Goodbye tour has been supported by the Scottish Government.

Minister for Community Safety, Paul Wheelhouse MSP, is delighted Yarrow park is on the tour. He said: “The Scottish Government recognise that the majority of football fans are well-behaved and simply wish to support their team.

“Nil by Mouth have been working across many of Scotland’s communities and through their Kiss Bigotry Goodbye campaign have witnessed the passion and commitment of fans to support their teams.

“I recently visited Selkirk High School to see Nil by Mouth work with pupils and teachers to highlight the dangers of social media posting and I am delighted to support the Kiss Bigotry Goodbye campaign as it goes on tour around some of Scotland’s football communities.”

The Kiss Bigotry Goodbye event at Selkirk Football Club kicks off at 6pm.