Everton and Scotland soccer star Steven Naismith has been labeled "Britain's kindest footballer" for the charity work he does away from the hustle and bustle of the English Premier League.
Everton and Scotland soccer star Steven Naismith has been labeled "Britain's kindest footballer" for the charity work he does away from the hustle and bustle of the English Premier League.
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Naismith sponsors Christmas lunches at centers for the homeless in Glasgow -- where he spent five years with Rangers -- and Liverpool, the northern English city in which Everton are based.
Naismith sponsors Christmas lunches at centers for the homeless in Glasgow -- where he spent five years with Rangers -- and Liverpool, the northern English city in which Everton are based.
BRIAN HICKEY
Naismith told CNN Sport that once he'd established himself in Rangers first team he was keen to give something back. He contacted the Loaves and Fishes center in East Kilbride and has been a festive visitor every year. He also is an ambassador for Dyslexia Scotland, and donates two tickets for every Everton home game to jobless football fans.
Naismith told CNN Sport that once he'd established himself in Rangers first team he was keen to give something back. He contacted the Loaves and Fishes center in East Kilbride and has been a festive visitor every year. He also is an ambassador for Dyslexia Scotland, and donates two tickets for every Everton home game to jobless football fans.
Martin Shields
"The difference this makes is unbelievable -- you couldn't put a price tag on it," Denis Curran, the chairman of Loaves and Fishes, tells CNN. "It's not just the meal, it's somebody that they see as important that has taken time out to come and see them."<br />
"The difference this makes is unbelievable -- you couldn't put a price tag on it," Denis Curran, the chairman of Loaves and Fishes, tells CNN. "It's not just the meal, it's somebody that they see as important that has taken time out to come and see them."
Martin Shields
"I think it's unfair that footballers have got this reputation," Naismith says of the stereotype that modern players are selfish and uncaring primadonnas, adding: "There's a massive amount of work that goes on, right the way from the Premier League in England to the individual clubs and individual players."
"I think it's unfair that footballers have got this reputation," Naismith says of the stereotype that modern players are selfish and uncaring primadonnas, adding: "There's a massive amount of work that goes on, right the way from the Premier League in England to the individual clubs and individual players."
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Naismith has made over 100 appearances for Everton, the highlight of his 2015/16 campaign so far a hat-trick in the 3-1 victory over defending EPL champion Chelsea back in September.
Naismith has made over 100 appearances for Everton, the highlight of his 2015/16 campaign so far a hat-trick in the 3-1 victory over defending EPL champion Chelsea back in September.
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Naismith has 41 caps for Scotland after making his debut in a 2-0 win over Faroe Islands in June 2007. He and his country narrowly failed to make Euro 2016 after a improved showing in qualifying.
Naismith has 41 caps for Scotland after making his debut in a 2-0 win over Faroe Islands in June 2007. He and his country narrowly failed to make Euro 2016 after a improved showing in qualifying.
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Naismith began his career with Kilmarnock and won the Scottish Football Writers' Young Player of the Year Award in 2006. He moved to Rangers the following year.
Naismith began his career with Kilmarnock and won the Scottish Football Writers' Young Player of the Year Award in 2006. He moved to Rangers the following year.
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Naismith won three league titles, two League Cups and a Scottish Cup with Rangers --Scottish football's most successful club. Its rivalry with city neighbors Celtic is one of the fiercest in world football. Here, Naismith scores against Celtic in a 4-2 win in 2011.
Naismith won three league titles, two League Cups and a Scottish Cup with Rangers --Scottish football's most successful club. Its rivalry with city neighbors Celtic is one of the fiercest in world football. Here, Naismith scores against Celtic in a 4-2 win in 2011.
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So where does his philanthropic streak come from? "I think from my background and the parents I've got," he explains. "I grew up learning to respect people and never to judge anybody on first impressions."
So where does his philanthropic streak come from? "I think from my background and the parents I've got," he explains. "I grew up learning to respect people and never to judge anybody on first impressions."
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