The granddaughter of football legend Jack Charlton took to the field in an anniversary match organised by the Lanarkshire joint HQ of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.
Leeds-born Kate Wilkinson moved to Scotland six years ago to work as a Syria programme manager for FCDO at Abercrombie House in East Kilbride.
She starred in a staff Scotland v England clash at the weekend, which is raising funds jointly for the East Kilbride Community Trust and Women’s Aid South Lanarkshire and East Renfrewshire and marked the 150th anniversary of the first ever football international.
And diplomats working overseas in countries including Mozambique, Poland and Serbia celebrated with St Andrew’s Day kickabouts.
The famous fixture is celebrated as the world’s first international football match after Scotland and England drew 0-0 in front of 4000 spectators at the West of Scotland Cricket Ground, in Glasgow, on 30 November, 1872.
World Cup winning defender Jack, who died aged 85 in 2020 after a battle with lymphoma and dementia, made his mark on the famous fixture.
At the recent charity match at K-Park Training Academy Scotland went down to a 4-2 defeat.
This was despite a valiant comeback from 3-0 down when the Dark Blues reduced the deficit to 3-2.
Kate, 28, said: “My grandad loved England vs. Scotland games and used to joke to fans that if he had not got injured in the famous 1967 match, Scotland would never have won 3-2.
“There were no substitutes allowed back then so my grandad was forced to hobble around as a striker for most of the match after breaking his toe early on. He still managed to score a goal.
“I was delighted to help celebrate the 150th anniversary of the fixture, although I told my team not to expect much from me - I’ve got two left feet.
“Funnily enough, the Charlton soccer skills did not pass down from either Jack or Bobby to the rest of the family. There was no danger of me being part of the England Lioness’ Euro winning side this summer."
Kate added: “I think my grandad must have taken one look at me and my siblings playing when we were younger and thought ‘Gosh, what on earth has happened here?’.
“But it’s a great chance for us to raise money for good causes.”
Almost 1000 staff are at the heart of delivering UK foreign policy from the FCDO’s joint HQ in Scotland – with plans to redeploy a further 500 jobs to the East Kilbride site.
East Kilbride Community Trust Facilities Manager Ian Aitchison said: “It is fantastic that the FCDO is marking the 150th anniversary of the birth of international football by holding Scotland v England games around the world.
“Ideally, Scotland would have been facing England this week at the World Cup, but we are proud to be part of this event in East Kilbride.”
Scots diplomat Euan Davidson and English colleague Freddie Brunt skippered the sides for a Scotland v England six-a-side match in Maputo, Mozambique on Sunday.
The Dark Blues triumphed 9-5.
Euan beamed: “It was a great game for the neutral, with England regaining the lead in the last 10 minutes before Scotland came back to secure a historic win.
“What the Scottish players lacked in fitness, skills and ability, we made up for with some creative signings, drawing on Mozambicans, Brazilians and Dutch players to score all our goals.”
To support the fundraiser for East Kilbride Community Trust and Women’s Aid South Lanarkshire and East Renfrewshire, which closes on December 9, click on the link.
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