Nominations Open for the 2019 Scottish Football Hall of Fame

Hearts and Scotland striker Steven Naismith launches the search for Scottish Football Hall of Fame nominees.

Hearts and Scotland striker Steven Naismith today launched the search for nominees to be inducted into Scottish Football Hall of Fame at this year’s awards dinner.

Naismith was winner of two Player of the Year Awards at the Tynecastle club last season, winning both the players’ and the fans’ Player of the Year categories.

From Stewarton in Ayrshire, Naismith started his professional career at local club Kilmarnock, making over 100 appearances and scoring 29 goals. Named SPL Young Player of the Year in 2005-6 and 2006-7, his performances caught the attention of Rangers, who signed Naismith on Deadline Day in summer 2007. After five seasons at the Ibrox club (winning three Scottish Premier League titles, a Scottish Cup and two Scottish League Cups), he landed a dream move to English Premier League side Everton.

Naismith played for four seasons in Merseyside, recording more than 100 league appearances and became a favourite with Everton fans after scoring against Manchester City, Manchester United and Arsenal. A career highlight included a ‘perfect’ hat-trick against Chelsea becoming the only player in EPL history to score a hat-trick against Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea. Naismith’s next move was to Norwich City in January 2016.

Naismith returned to Scotland on loan from Norwich City to Hearts under the stewardship of his former Scotland manager Craig Levein. In the season past, Naismith scored 14 goals in 19 appearances. Hearts had a win rate of 63% with Naismith in the team and 15% without him.

Naismith currently has 49 senior caps for Scotland, just one away from being recognised in the Scottish FA Roll of Honour (for those with 50 caps or more).

Off the pitch, Naismith is a strong supporter of many charitable causes. He is an ambassador for Dyslexia Scotland and works with homelessness charities in Glasgow and Liverpool.

This year’s Hall of Fame inductees will be announced at a star-studded dinner at Hampden Park on Sunday 27th October in association with Hampden Conference & Events and Prestige Sodexo.

Football fans can participate by clicking here and nominate the personality of their choice. You can also post your nomination to: Scottish Football Hall of Fame, Hampden Park, Glasgow, G42 9BA. Closing date for nominations is midnight on Sunday 25th August.

The inductees are those truly great players, managers and officials who have reached the pinnacle of their profession and have made a significant contribution to Scottish football’s reputation through their skill, spirit and determination.

Tables can be secured by calling 0141 620 4040.

The Hall of Fame is a permanent feature in the Scottish Football Museum at Hampden Park.
A panel of experts from the world of football and the media will consider nominees and elect successful candidates.