Thornton’s, local Perth solicitors, have partnered Scone Thistle as the charity football team gears up for another season.
Scone Thistle Football Club are a football team based in Perthshire. Thorntons will be the kits sponsor and have donated money to fund all the equipment the club needs to prepare for the new season.
The team is an inclusive, disability friendly football club open to people of all genders and abilities and have players from ages 16-40.
With the support and sponsorship of Thorntons, they have enabled the team to continue planning in the PAN League, increase their football skills, as well as help their confidence to grow and built new or existing friendships.
The team train at Scone Park, and play publicly in Grangemouth in the league, which is by design to ensure the games are a great advert to the public to dispel many of the myths about para-football, as well as challenging the stigma around disability and football.
Scone Thistle and Autism Initiatives (Number 3) started offering joint football sessions five years ago.
Number 3 is a service for adults (16 and over) with a diagnosis of an Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC) who live in the Perth and Kinross, Dundee or Angus. The service is provided by Autism Initiatives Scotland. The Perth Number 3 One-Stop Shop provides social groups and activities, scheduled drop-in times and 1-1 advice and support on a range of issues.
Robert McMillan from Scone Thistle FC said: “I think the biggest thing about this partnership is not just that it will allow the team to play each week but that it puts the team on an equal footing with the rest of the teams within the club.
“Our team use the exact same equipment as the men’s team which is how it should be.
“For all participants it is an opportunity to be one team among many that represent a Community Club which already has hundreds of other players aged from five through to the adults who play for Scone Thistle Juniors. The strips provided by Thorntons are the same as those worn by Scone Thistle’s other adult team, the Juniors. This is a deliberate choice as we want to show that both teams represent Scone Thistle and are no different from each other.
“After lockdown we saw a big urge in players joining the team which was fantastic and has allowed us to play more often and hold weekly training sessions. The sponsorship from Thorntons has been vital in ensuring the club can continue to grow and be accessible to any player who wants to join.”
Bruce Renfrew, Thorntons, Perth Partner said: “This partnership is about more than simply providing resources to the club. We want the team to be a vital part of the wider footballing landscape within Perthshire, ensuring that no matter your personal circumstances, there is a place for you in football.
“Beyond this, it is also a first step to encouraging others with disabilities who have a love of football to come forward and feel welcomed as part of a Community Club.
“We are really excited about what we can achieve together and can not wait for the season to start!”