Monty named Sports Chaplaincy Scotland Ambassador

Kilmarnock FC wish to congratulate Ray Montgomerie on being named as the first-ever Sports Chaplaincy Scotland Ambassador.

Sports Chaplaincy Scotland help train and facilitate the appointment of chaplains across the nation, with more than 140 chaplains currently serving over a variety of sports. The organisation supports the mental, emotional and spiritual wellbeing of players, coaches and all club staff within various sporting settings.

Following the sad passing of Scottish football icon Craig Brown earlier this year, Sports Chaplaincy Scotland retired the title of ‘Patron’; a role that had been fulfilled by Brown for a decade.

Having played a “pivotal” part in the development of chaplaincy within Scottish Football, Ray Montgomerie will pick up the responsibilities in the new role of Sports Chaplaincy Scotland Ambassador. Alongside supporting fundraising and raising awareness of the charity’s mission, the Killie legend will also strive to increase the prominence of chaplains across Scottish sports clubs and organisations.

A long-term advocate of chaplaincy within Scottish football, you can read more about Montgomerie’s substantial influence on the community – HERE.

Commenting on the appointment, Ray Montgomerie said: “I have personal experience of how valuable a sports chaplain can be and I am both humbled and honoured to take on the position of ambassador in Sports Chaplaincy Scotland.

“Following on from a gentleman like Craig Brown is a great privilege and I’m determined to build on the outstanding contribution he made over a decade-long period.”

James McNay, Chaplain of Kilmarnock FC added: “I’m delighted that Monty has agreed to take on this role. There has been a huge increase in the number of Sports Chaplains in Scottish football, and Scottish sport more widely, in the past few years. Football clubs see the value in having a chaplain who is able to help support players and wider staff with off-field issues in particular. After all, if a player is unhappy off the pitch, that is likely to affect performance on the pitch.

“Monty was instrumental in sports chaplaincy being established at Kilmarnock FC with Neil Urquhart being appointed nearly 20 years ago. Raymond has been nothing but supportive since I took on the role 9 years ago and I can think of no-one better than him to be the Ambassador of sports chaplaincy more widely.”