From running about the streets together to making music, two childhood friends have created a World Cup tune that could make a massive difference.
Like most long-term friends, Graham Blair, 52, and James McMahon, 46, grew up in Cumbernauld together and eventually drifted apart in their 20s. But unlike most pals, these two went on to create a band called Talespeed.
As they began ‘jamming’ and planning to perform gigs, James’ mental health took a bad turn in 2006, and he was admitted to the psychiatric facility The State Hospital (also known as Carstairs Hospital).
James said: “I’ve had mental health issues since 1998 and was admitted in 2006.
“I have a diagnosis of schizophrenia, and this has impacted on my life dramatically. Especially around work and a career prospects.”
Despite James’ stay in hospital, he and Graham would create music together over the phone.
Graham said: “James would write lyrics and I would turn them into songs and sing them down the phone to him on the hospital’s landline.
“He was released about seven years ago, but I was down south then. I came back to Scotland two years ago, and after that, we finally recorded our first single, which was a Christmas song, in October 2025.”
The song, entitled December Morning, was recorded at a studio run by Fools On (FO) in Cumbernauld - a mental health charity that supports recovery through the performing arts.
Graham said: “We had this Christmas song for over 20 years. When we recorded it, the charity asked what else we had, and we had written a football song called Gie’s A Goal years ago.
“We decided to record it in the FO studio to be an anthem for the World Cup.”
The song is available on Bandcamp for £1 per download. All the money raised will go to FO. Over £1,000 has been raised so far.
You can check out the song HERE
“We just wanted to give back,” Graham said.
He continued: “We want people to hear the song and know that there are charities, such as FO, there to help them, especially if they are in a dark place.”
FO was chosen as James has been volunteering with the charity for a number of years.
James said: “Fool On has given me an outlet for creativity while meeting other people who have been where I’ve been. I firmly believe that my story has helped others. There is a great life after diagnosis.
“Our football song Gie’s a Goal has given me a lot of confidence and the ability to perform on stage. It has also given me the belief that music is a great healer.”
Talespeed have been going to different towns and cities across Scotland to perform the song and have taken a FO banner with them and leaflets to raise awareness of the charity.
Graham said some people have even come up to them and shared their stories about mental health.
The pair also performed the song outside Hampden Stadium a few weeks ago.
Speaking on the experience, Graham said: “We went to Hampden on Saturday, and my brother was shooting some footage of us performing and said he could hear people around him singing the chorus. He couldn’t believe it.
“Everyone has told us that it’s a brilliant song, and when we played it at a gig last week, people were dancing and chanting – they loved it.”
He continued: “We seem to be gathering momentum now.
“It has been a long journey, but we are starting to see the fruits of our labour.”
The pair have gained the support of many through the song, including comedian Raymond Mearns and his daughter. Raymond even paid for the band’s studio time, while his daughter recorded a music video for Gie’s A Goal.
Stuart Doig, chairperson of Fool On, said: “I have known James for years now, and the change in him lately has been amazing. I think a lot of this is down to him performing and recording Gie’s A Goal with Talespeed.
“It's a joy to watch him grow in confidence and self-esteem.
“We are so proud to have James and Talespeed representing Fool On, with which I believe is the best World Cup song I've heard. We can't thank them enough for choosing to donate all the proceeds of the song to our charity.”
For more information on Fool On, visit https://foolon.co.uk/
