Livingston FC, West Lothian Community Foundation & SPFL Trust Launch 4-4-2 Reading Challenge

Livingston FC, West Lothian Community Foundation and the SPFL Trust have joined forces to bring the 4-4-2 Reading Challenge to children and families across West Lothian.

The national literacy initiative uses the appeal of Scottish football to encourage children aged 5–12 to read four books, visit their local library and discover the enjoyment that reading can offer.

Children who complete the challenge will receive a pair of free tickets for them and an adult to attend a selected Livingston FC home match.

The 4-4-2 Reading Challenge is led by the SPFL Trust in partnership with the Scottish Library and Information Council, Scottish Book Trust, participating SPFL clubs and local library services, with funding provided by the SPFL.

West Lothian Community Foundation will support the programme locally alongside Livingston FC, helping to promote the opportunity to schools, community groups, children and families throughout West Lothian.

How the challenge works –

Children aged 5–12 are invited to:

• Visit a participating West Lothian library.

• Ask for a 4-4-2 Reading Challenge card.

• Choose and borrow four books.

• Read each of the four books.

• Collect one library stamp for every completed book.

• Take the completed challenge card to Livingston FC.

• Claim a free adult and child ticket for a qualifying Livingston FC home fixture.

The books can be selected to reflect each child’s interests and reading ability, helping to make the challenge accessible, enjoyable and achievable.

Leaghann Watson, CEO of West Lothian Community Foundation, said: “We are delighted to work with the SPFL Trust and Livingston FC to bring the 4-4-2 Reading Challenge to children and families across West Lothian.

“Football gives us an incredible platform through which we can connect with young people. By linking reading with the excitement of attending a Livingston FC match, we can help children see books and libraries as something enjoyable, welcoming and rewarding.

“This is particularly valuable for children who may not already be confident readers or who need a little extra encouragement to pick up a book. Every child can choose books that interest them and complete the challenge at their own pace.

“We hope families across West Lothian will visit their local library, take part together and enjoy the opportunity to cheer on Livingston FC.”

Dave Black, COO of Livingston FC said: “We’re proud to support the 4-4-2 Reading Challenge alongside the SPFL Trust and West Lothian Community Foundation, and it’s a great example of how football can be used to encourage and support things that go well beyond what happens on the pitch.

“Our football club is at the heart of the West Lothian community, and we want to use our reach and profile to create positive opportunities for local children and families. Reading is such an important skill for young people, but we also know that not every child is naturally drawn to books or confident in their reading. If the incentive of attending a football match encourages a child to pick up a book, visit their local library or discover something they really enjoy reading, then that’s a result worth celebrating.

“I also really like the fact that the challenge allows children to choose books based on their own interests. It doesn’t matter whether that’s football, animals, superheroes, history, science or something completely different – the important thing is that they’re enjoying reading and building that habit.

“Hopefully we can play a small part in encouraging more children and families to get involved, visit their local library and ultimately complete the challenge. And, of course, we’d love to see plenty of those completed cards coming through the doors at the club, with families then joining us at the Home of the Set Fare Arena to enjoy a game together.

“It’s a fantastic initiative, and we’re delighted to be involved.”

The initiative is intended to support literacy, educational attainment and positive family engagement while introducing more children to their local library and football club.

It can also help engage children who are less naturally drawn to reading but have a strong interest in football. Young readers can choose books about any subject; they do not need to select football books.

West Lothian Community Foundation is Livingston FC’s associated community charity. Working in partnership with the Club, the Foundation uses football, education and community activity to create opportunities and improve outcomes for people across West Lothian.

We look forward to seeing some local youngsters handing in their completed cards after finishing their books and coming along to take in a game at the weekend as a reward!