In partnership with The Advisory Group Renfrewshire, the St Mirren FC Charitable Foundation run the St Mirren Additional Support Needs (ASN) Football Team.
Open to all those with ASN, the team is comprised of a wide range of abilities, from those training for the Special Olympics, to beginners trying football for the first time.
On Tuesday, players from the ASN team visited the St Mirren Training Ground at Ralston and got to watch some training as well as having the opportunity to meet first-team players and staff.
Emma Smith is the St Mirren Foundation Football Development Lead as well as being Head Coach of the ASN Team.
I really appreciate the players and manager taking time out of their day to come and meet our players. They’ve put smiles on the boys' faces."
Emma continued: "The boys have done brilliantly so far this season, picking up wins to start our campaign. Last week they played brilliantly to pick up the trophies, beating Partick Thistle in the Final."
The team came close to success last season, narrowly missing out on the league title, but picked up a couple of trophies last week. Along with first-team players, manager Stephen Robinson was there to hand out medals and congratulate the ASN team for their success.
ASN team defender Ryan Riley is a St Mirren season ticket holder.
I love St Mirren so it means a lot to me to represent them," he said.
"I wouldn’t want to play for anyone else.
"My favourite player is Mark O’Hara, so to get the chance to meet and chat to the captain is amazing.
"We have done well so far this season," he continued. "I hope we can keep winning. Stephen Robinson congratulated us on our trophy win, so that will spur us on to do it again."
Emma added: "Today has been great for our players.
It shows how connected the club is, it feels like a family."
St Mirren Charitable Foundation runs Additional Support Needs football sessions twice a week. If you would like to find out more about, or to book a session, please visit the website smfcfoundation.co.uk.
