Foundation cash will boost the Saints academy
The Barrie Douglas Foundation is supporting St Johnstone’s youth development programme.
The charity set-up in memory of Perthshire businessman Barrie Douglas is going from strength to strength.
Foundation trustee Charlie Gallagher handed over a £2000 cheque to academy head of youth development Alistair Stevenson.
It comes hard on the heels of backing for young Scottish curlers and a range of sports will again benefit from the foundation’s fundraising during 2020.
“It’s another fantastic gesture from the foundation and it’s really appreciated,”said Alistair.
“I know the foundation aims at helping to nurture young talent across many different sports in memory of Barrie.
“Here at St Johnstone we have invested the money in a few different areas.
“Last year, for example, we acquired scaffolding to allow us to film games and buy equipment for the sports science department.
“It’s been a great help and we also have new strips and kit coming in.
“Fans like to see young talent like captain Jason Kerr and Chris Kane breaking into the first team.
“Ali McCann is the latest example and local lad Jordan Northcott was on the bench at the weekend against Kilmarnock.
“Players like Liam Gordon,
David Wotherspoon and Stevie May all come from this area so there is certainly talent in Perth and Kinross.
“Youngsters like goalkeeper Ross Sinclair have also got their chance to show what they can do at the academy.
“We also bring in young players from slightly further afield and it all demands more hours on the training field and more coaches.”
Foundation trustee Charlie said: “We are delighted to again support Saints. Barrie followed the club’s fortunes from the Ormond era in the sixties.
“We have plans in the pipeline to offer support to other sports.”