MP has a ball meeting kids

Budding young footballers brushed up on their skills as St Mirren FC Charitable Foundation welcomed two visitors to its camp recently.

- EDEL KENEALY

The charitable arm of St Mirren FC welcomed Alison Taylor MP and Stephen Docherty, of Scottish Gas, to its week-long skills academy held earlier this month in Renfrew.

The camp was funded by Scottish Gas, via its partnership with the Scottish FA, as part of efforts to offer young people from all socioeconomic backgrounds access to free football.

It was one of several to be held by football clubs and charities across the summer with the added provision of a free lunch for all attendees.

Mr Docherty was able to see the impact of the funding when he attended a training session at Kirklandneuk Park, where Ms Taylor also met children, staff and volunteers.