A NEW link up between Largs Thistle and a Glasgow club set up to give young players and coaches from ethnic minorities a brighter future is starting to bear fruit.
Players from Scoutable United featured in the Thistle squad during a friendly fixture against Neilston this week.
The partnership was formed at the start of this season after the two teams met in a friendly match on Good Friday.
The first step in the collaboration saw a joint Largs and Scoutable under-20 team formed to compete in the West of Scotland Development League.
Scoutable United are breaking down barriers in Scottish football by providing a platform for skilful players and coaches from ethnic minorities to thrive in the game.
The club was founded in 2019 to showcase the best unsigned talent in Glasgow.
Their primary aim is not just winning football games but to provide a bright future for talented young footballers and coaches in ethnic minorities in the sport.
The Scoutable United mission statement is as follows: "Scoutable United FC shouldn’t have to exist. We tell ourselves that football is a meritocracy. That ability will always win out, in the end.
"But in Scotland, not every player gets the platform their talent deserves. Scouting bias - often unconscious - means many gifted footballers from diverse backgrounds go overlooked."
And on Saturday, in Largs Thistle's South of Scotland Cup match with Ashfield, Scoutable United under-20 keeper Eliasz Zalewski took over in goal after regular keepers Joe Wilton and Matt Johnston were injured.
A spokesperson for Scoutable United said: "It is great to see five of our U20s' players participating in the friendly match for Largs Thistle FC.
"The gaffer has been at our games, shared words of wisdom in the changing room, and it is encouraging to see such quick and positive development of our partnership with Largs."
And a spokesperson for Largs Thistle said that they are delighted with the arrangement, adding: "Thank you for being a big part of Largs Thistle. Keep your eyes open for our under-20s join up with the first team."
Thistle ran out 3-0 victors over Neilston in Monday night's friendly at Barrhead High School.
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