Warm welcome from Well Society as asylum seekers visit Fir Park for SPFL match

A group of Lanarkshire-based asylum seekers were given a warm welcome to Fir Park last weekend after they were invited along to Motherwell’s game against Livingston.

The visitors took the chance to experience the Scottish football top-tier fixture after the Well Society extended an invitation to come along to the match, which the Steelmen won 4-1. The result doomed the Lothian club to relegation from the top flight.

The 25 men – who have fled from violence and persecution in countries such as Iran, Iraq and Syria – enjoyed the goal fest as the home team romped to victory.

The Lanarkshire Live app is available to download now.

Get all the news from your area – as well as features, entertainment, sport and the latest on Lanarkshire’s recovery from the coronavirus pandemic – straight to your fingertips, 24/7.

The free download features the latest breaking news and exclusive stories, and allows you to customise your page to the sections that matter most to you.

Head to the App Store and never miss a beat in Lanarkshire - iOS - Android

The Well Society worked alongside the East Kilbride Integration Network (EKin), a local group who welcome, support and help new migrants in the area make connections.

At a small pre-match reception the society found out a bit more about their work, and got a flavour of what life has been like for those who have unexpectedly found themselves in Lanarkshire.

The Well Society’s Derek Watson, said: “These men have had to flee their homes, leaving their families behind, thousands of miles away. They are effectively in limbo, worrying about what is happening back home.

“As part of our ongoing work to support the community, we wanted to give them an enjoyable day out at Fir Park. What struck me was that we