Ahead of tonight’s Scottish FA Grassroots Awards ceremony at Hampden Park we would like to take this opportunity to reflect on AFCCT’s year as Best Professional Club in the Community!

Since winning the award in 2015 it has been another year of continuous improvement in every measurable aspect for Aberdeen FC’s partner charity.

The scope of work has once again grown with an increase in the number of participants and the quantity and range of programmes being delivered.

It has also been another year of innovation working with partners to create new programmes which have been unprecedented in Scotland, and particularly in Scottish football.

Earlier this year a new partnership involving Garioch Sports Trust, Inverurie Locos and Aberdeen FC Community Trust has resulted in the appointment of a new community coach based in Inverurie.

This is the first time that two member clubs have worked together on this type of community project and so far it has been a real success with more people in the Garioch area engaging in community activity through football.

A more recent example of innovation is the new Stop, Quit and Be Fit smoking cessation and physical activity programme in partnership with NHS Grampian. The 12 week programme is set to kick-off on Monday 26^th September and is the first of its kind involving an SPFL club.

Our new Red Start and School of Football projects were also launched over the past week. The Red Start programme will engage with 4000 primary school pupils this year, you can find out more about that programme here.

The School of Football project also strengthens our relationship at secondary level with a member of staff based at Northfield Academy.

Earlier this month there was also some recognition on the continent as AFCCT were shortlisted for this year’s European Club Association (ECA) Best Community & Social Responsibility Programme Award.

The nomination was earned through the outstanding work that has been carried out with over 65's throughout Aberdeen City & Shire through the Dementia Friendly Programme. In the end AFCCT finished in the final four alongside AC Milan, Villarreal and the eventual winners PSV Eindhoven, a great achievement!

Reflecting on the previous year, AFCCT’s Chief Executive, Ally Prockter, commented, “For the past year Aberdeen FC Community Trust has been proud to hold the title of Best Professional Club in the Community.

“As a very new charity, winning this award was especially rewarding for the entire AFCCT team. All my staff and volunteers have worked tirelessly since receiving this award to improve on everything that we do, and those efforts are reflected by the wide range of additional and often unique programmes that we now deliver to benefit local communities across the North East of Scotland.

“I wish to say a sincere thank you to all those individuals and organisations who support AFCCT to change lives for the better!”

To get involved with Aberdeen FC’s partner charity or for more information please contact info@afccommunitytrust.org