It started with three female Celtic fans and a dream – to have free sanitary products for supporters at their favourite club.

Eighteen months on and their dream has evolved into a movement, with 100 clubs now on board. They call themselves On The Ball and they’re exactly that.

Period poverty is a serious issue in this country. A survey in 2017 by Plan International found that as many as one in 10 girls and women aged between 14 and 21 in the UK were unable to afford sanitary products, with 12% having to improvise with toilet roll, socks and even newspapers.

A similar study by the Big Bloody Brunch found that more than a quarter of women had been forced to miss work or school because they could not afford the necessary products.

Where better to start solving the problem, thought Erin Slaven, Orlaith Duffy and Mikaela McKinley, than football.

Lifelong followers of the Parkhead club, the trio launched a petition in March 2018 and shortly after received word that Celtic Park would be “On The Ball”.

From there, they have now reached clubs across the globe – including LA Galaxy, Altonear FC in Germany, Rangers, Liverpool, and West Ham – hitting the magic

100 thanks to Irish side Droghheda United.

READ MORE: Celtic become first club to offer free sanitary products

“We never imagined we’d get to 100 clubs on board,” said Ms Slaven, a 22-year-old social sciences graduate

from Glasgow Caledonian University.

“I remember getting to five clubs and being so surprised, but it’s just spiralled out of control and it’s such a thrill.

“We said from the start that we hoped football leading the way would get people taking our campaign into their own lives and implement it in whatever way they can – in pubs and restaurants and things like that.

“We always get asked things like ‘if you can afford a ticket, can you not afford tampons?’ – but we feel like football is such a big business, it’s all about money and influence, so why not use that influence to make

a difference.

“Football clubs taking a lead on this puts the spotlight on period poverty and makes people aware of what is a real complex issue for many people.”

The group focused on four main campaign aims – to get clubs to provide free period products; increase the visibility and voice of female fans; remove the stigma around periods; and raise awareness of period poverty.

Their success has not come without a cost – with the group facing regular torment on social media from people against the idea.

“Football is traditionally a male dominated sport, so we thought if we can work with other fans who are predominantly female to make a change to increase the visibility of them and their needs,” Ms Slaven added.

READ MORE: Rangers become latest Scottish team to offer free sanitary products for fans

“I think the needs of female fans has been overlooked until we stepped up and put it on their radar.

“We knew it was a bit radical to go into a male dominated environment and talk about periods, but we thought it would be effective and help remove the stigma and put it into public consciousness.

“We have had some really mad comments – people asking things like ‘where is my shaving foam, where’s the free pints, the pies’ etc. These are all things woman use as well, might I add.

“Sometimes we reply to comments, but we approach it in a way to educate people and share our views while acknowledging the fact they won’t always agree.”

The group is now taking steps to venture away from just football – spreading its message to youth groups and community clubs, as well as getting bars and restaurants On The Ball.

A spokesman for Celtic said: “We are delighted to become the first club in the UK to offer such a service.

“We congratulate Erin, Mikaela and Orlaith for all their work in this area and wish them every success on their wider, ongoing campaign.”