For the first time in their 131-year history St Johnstone will be sporting a charity logo on their strips in Thursday night’s Europa League qualifier.
This season the Perth club’s shorts will carry the branding of the country’s only charity-funded helicopter air ambulance in a charity support package.
Saints backing for the charity by giving it free exposure on their match day kit, mirrors European champions Barcelona, who previously profiled UNICEF on their famous jerseys.
League rival, Hearts will showcase Save the Children on their shirts.
“St Johnstone are very proud to be based in Perth but we enjoy a Scotland-wide profile,” explained chairman Steve Brown. “The same goes for Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance which is based at Perth Airport but flies emergency missions all across the country.
“By offering the charity exposure on our team shorts we feel we are helping to put something back into the wider community which has supported us for so many years.
“SCAA does a truly amazing job and their life-saving service is there for all of us – it’s the ideal charity partner for St Johnstone.”
Club captain Dave Mackay added: “The players are proud to be sporting the SCAA logo and the kit looks great.
“Part of the charity’s life-saving work is flying to sporting accidents all across Scotland. None of us know when we might need their services – we’re just glad that they’re there.
SCAA chairman John Bullough said the charity felt privileged to be selected for this unique support.
“To have SCAA’s name and logo emblazoned on St Johnstone’s shorts is absolutely fantastic,” he commented.
“What a privilege to be associated with such an outstanding football club and to enjoy their support as they take their skills around Scotland and into Europe.
“Every time they are photographed or featured on television they will be taking the SCAA brand to an ever-increasing audience and we can’t thank them enough for that sort of key exposure.
“This is a unique gesture in Scottish football circles and we feel deeply honoured – not only to share a home town of Perth with St Johnstone, but also to be their chosen charity for such a tremendous gesture.”
Saints plan to offer SCAA event and meeting facilities at McDiarmid Park and collection opportunities at key matches this season.