Information
2023/24 NORTH REGION AUTISM CHAMPIONS
.png)
Sunday 25th of February saw the return of the Autism Football League for 2024!
The 11 strong Saints in the Community squad travelled through to Pitreavie Sport & Soccer Centre to compete in the final round of fixtures in the 2023/24 North Region Championship. Wearing the St Johnstone Football Club badge and accompanied by our coaches, players were looking to build on their positive start to the campaign in which they scored 29 goals on their way to picking up six wins from six games in the first round of fixtures of the 23/24 campaign.
The day started with a spirited Tayside clash as the Saints in the Community team faced up against Dundee United. Continuing their momentum from the previous year, the Community Trust players delivered a strong performance and secured the victory, getting the day off to a fantastic start and setting the tone for their remaining fixtures.
Next up for the squad were three quickfire matches against the remaining teams in the North Region Championship; Monifieth, Dunfermline, and Raith Rovers. The Saints in the Community squad showed no signs of letting up on their promotion charge, putting in a number of brilliant performances on their way to picking up another two victories against Dunfermline and Raith, and a hard-fought draw with fellow promotion chasers Monifieth.
The day rounded off with the final two fixtures of the 23/24 season with the squad facing up against familiar opponents, Monifieth and Raith Rovers, to conclude the North Region Championship. The Saints in the Community squad, who had remained unbeaten throughout both rounds of fixtures, were determined to extend this run, and managed to do so in convincing fashion, picking up victories against both Monifieth & Raith. A remarkable collective effort from the whole squad who managed to score an impressive 17 goals and pick up four clean sheets across the six matches!
Following the final fixture of the day, the final season standings were calculated, and the Saints in the Community Autism FC squad were crowned Champions of the 2023/24 North Region Autism Football Championship, claiming promotion to the Premiership division!!
“All our players have done themselves and everyone supporting them so proud! They have come on leaps and bounds since they first attended a competitive festival, and to see them enjoying football and meeting new friends along the way is brilliant.” - Josh Henderson, Football & Projects Delivery Officer
It has been a truly incredible campaign for the Saints in the Community squad so far. The team will now play in the national Premiership league fixtures on the 17th of March at the Falkirk Stadium and we look forward to seeing how the squad get on following their promotion!