A successful bid to bring European women’s football to Tayside has been hailed as a major boost for the area.
The Scottish Football Association has confirmed that McDiarmid Park in Perth and Dunfermline’s East End stadium will host games for the UEFA European Women’s Under-19 Championship in 2019.
The tournament was secured for Scotland following bids by St Johnstone FC and Dunfermline Athletic.
It is the first time the country has organised a UEFA tournament since the 1998 European U16 Championship.
Scotland has qualified for the European Women’s Under-19 event in 2008, 2010 and 2014.
Perth and Kinross Council boss Ian Miller wrote to the SFA in support of Saints’ application in 2017.
He said: “This news is a very welcome surprise. Just being involved in the tournament will attract attention to Perth, which will add to the process of increasing publicity about what Perth has to offer as a city.
“I couldn’t be more pleased for the Saints, as I know how much they wanted to be part of this. A huge ‘well done’ to all involved.”
Bids were put to European football’s governing body to host either the under-17 or under-19 tournament.
Speaking after the SFA’s bid was submitted, Dufermline Athletic chairman Ross McArthur said: “We are happy to facilitate and we have since spoken with Fife Council, who are happy to support us if the bid is successful.
“It would be prestigious for the area and we thought it was the right thing to do as a community club.”
The matches will be played in July 2019, with match dates to be announced at the end of the year.
Other venues which will be hosting the tournament are the Tony Macaroni Arena in Livingston and St Mirren Park at Paisley, Perth’s Scottish rival for the 2021 City of Culture bid.
Last month, it was also confirmed by the SFA that Scotland will host Switzerland, Serbia and Montenegro in their UEFA European Under-17 Championship Elite Round in March as they aim to reach their fourth consecutive finals.