Long-standing Cardiff City supporter Scott Cunningham has chosen to leave a gift in his will to Cardiff City FC Community Foundation, to help future generations benefit from the power of football and community.

As a lifelong football fan, Scott has pledged a gift in his will to two football club charities close to his heart – Cardiff City FC Community Foundation and Hibernian Community Foundation – a reflection of his belief that football can make a positive difference in people's lives.

For Scott, supporting the Community Foundation goes beyond simply giving back. As a proud Scot, he shares a special connection with Cardiff City's history and the local community through fellow Scotsman, Jock Stein.

Stein tragically passed away after suffering a heart attack during Scotland's World Cup qualifier against Wales at Ninian Park in 1985. Today, his plaque stands on the Ninian Park memorial wall, commemorating his legacy at the very heart of where Cardiff City's historic stadium once stood.

Scott began supporting the Bluebirds during the 1986-87 season, having relocated from Strathaven in Scotland to Cowbridge. Growing up as a passionate Hibernian FC fan, he was eager to immerse himself in the local football scene after settling in South Wales – enjoying his first match, the Cardiff City vs Swansea Boxing Day match in 1986.

A keen footballer himself, Scott began attending matches regularly during the 1989-90 season, getting his first season ticket in 2008-09, and has fond memories of watching matches at the old stadium, Ninian Park.

Through the Club, he has also connected with a number of fellow Scots who have made South Wales their home, attending matches with friends from Cowbridge and Cardiff. As Scott puts it, it's not easy to follow your boyhood team when you're miles from home, so he has been a devoted Cardiff City supporter ever since and is a firm believer in supporting football at a local level.

Scott even struck up a friendship with a fellow Bluebirds supporter, known as Smiler, who he met by chance in a pub in Grangetown, and the pair began making regular trips to Cardiff City matches together. Following the sad passing of his friend Smiler, Scott has continued to attend matches regularly, including with Smiler's partner, Rachel.

Scott first became aware of Cardiff City FC Community Foundation through purchasing Cardiff City match tickets and could see the important work being done in the community by the club’s official charity. Scott's hope is that his gift will make a real difference to the lives of local people, open up education and skills training opportunities for children and young adults from deprived backgrounds, and provide vital support to our Dementia and Alzheimer’s group, the 1927 Club.

He is a strong admirer of the football club's commitment to making a real and lasting impact in the local area and is eager to play his part in supporting that work. Football has given Scott a lifelong sense of belonging, friendship and community – and it is something he wants young people to experience for generations to come too.

It was while arranging a Lasting Power of Attorney for his parents that Scott began thinking about his own will. He has since decided to leave gifts to several charities and organisations that hold special meaning for him, something he felt was simply the right and decent thing to do.

We would like to say a huge thank you to Scott for his generous decision to leave a gift, and for sharing his story and passion for football with us.

Scott reflected:

“I wanted to make a gesture to the Community Foundation and the Club that means a lot to me. Football is something you can enjoy no matter what else is going on in life. If I can help the Community Foundation to continue their work supporting young people, then I'll have achieved my goal.”

“Moving from Scotland to South Wales four decades ago was a 'Sliding Doors' moment for me and my family. Bear in mind that in 1986 there was no world wide web, no smart phones, no YouTube etc. Scotland might as well have been on the moon! But, as a football-mad adolescent, the sport was a great way to make friends.”

“Jock Stein once famously said, “football without fans is nothing”. He was right. And that starts at local level. People should support their local team.”