How a fan's dying wish led a Dutch football team to a tartan kit

What the report says

FC Twente has launched a tartan-inspired shirt to celebrate a long-running friendship between its supporters and fans in Stranraer, Scotland, a connection that began with a terminally ill supporter’s wish to see an Old Firm match. According to BBC Scotland News, Dennis Van Unen, an FC Twente fan with skin cancer, met Stranraer supporters Jim McKie and James Hilton at a Twente game in Enschede in 2006. The pair helped him travel to Glasgow to watch Celtic and Rangers, also taking him to Ibrox, Celtic Park and Hampden.

The bond continued after Van Unen’s death the following year. Twente and Stranraer fans began making regular trips to each other’s clubs, and the relationship later became strong enough for Twente to play a pre-season match in Stranraer in 2017, marking a decade since his death. The new shirt will be worn for the first time in Twente’s Eredivisie match away to AZ Alkmaar this weekend.

In Stranraer, the link is especially visible at The Grapes pub, home of the Stranraer Tukkers supporters’ group. Landlord Billy Hodge, who has also become a Twente fan, modelled for the club’s marketing campaign. Club marketing manager Leon Molenkamp said the shirt is intended to keep the story alive for younger supporters. BBC also noted that Twente’s ties to Scotland date back further, including a previous tartan-style away kit and former Scottish players at the club.