The Herald Media Relations Award

The Scottish Football Writers Association are delighted to welcome The Herald as the new sponsors of our Media Relations award for season 2025/26.

The trophy is presented to the club or association that has provided the best support to the industry over the course of the campaign and recognises the efforts of public relations professionals and staff across our game.

St Mirren were deserved winners last term and James Hunter, head of media, collected the prize at the 59th SFWA awards in Glasgow.

Hearts, Aberdeen and Motherwell have also been recognised for their efforts in recent years.

Members are asked to nominate a club or association that has been a standout over the course of the season before the winner is chosen by the SFWA committee.

The Herald Media Relations award will be presented at the 60th dinner at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel on Sunday, May 17.

Jonny McFarlane, Head of Sport at Newsquest Scotland, said: “We’re delighted to sponsor the Scottish Football Writers Association for 2026 and to champion the outstanding journalism that brings Scottish football to life. 

“From grassroots to the top flight, great reporting helps shape how the game is understood and appreciated. Supporting these awards reflects The Herald’s unwavering commitment to high-quality sports journalism and the people behind it.”

The SFWA aims to look after the best interests of professional football writers in Scotland and has been doing so since its formation in 1957.

The SFWA also regularly liaises with clubs and the governing bodies to ensure that best practices are followed for the betterment of coverage of football in Scotland.

The 60th awards dinner – sponsored by William Hill - will crown the highly-coveted SFWA Player of the Year, which was first presented to Billy McNeill in 1965.

Daizen Maeda is the current holder of the title, with past winners including illustrious names such as Rangers legends Barry Ferguson, Ally McCoist and John Greig, Celtic heroes Scott Brown, Henrik Larsson and Charlie Nicholas as well as the likes of Gordon Strachan, Craig Gordon and Lawrence Shankland.

Roger Hannah, SFWA President, said: “The SFWA is delighted to welcome The Herald to our portfolio of sponsors and thanks the title for sponsoring this valued award.

“James was a deserving winner last season and we look forward to bestowing this coveted award on Scotland’s leading media department in 2025/26.”