Farmers, crofters and others involved in Scottish agriculture are being invited to get a team together and enter a “Farmers Football Fundraiser” set to take place this summer.
The seven-aside tournament, being organised by agricultural charity RSABI, will be hosted at McDiarmid Park, home of St Johnstone Football Club, in Perth on June 7th.
The idea behind the Football Tournament is to encourage farming folk to get involved in what is sure to be a very special summer of football, by pulling together a team and training over the coming months in preparation for the event in early June.
As well as the mental and physical health benefits of team members getting fitter and getting together to train ahead of the tournament, the hope is that the event will also draw a great crowd along to enjoy cheering on the farmer players and teams.
RSABI’s #KeepTalking ambassador Jim Smith and Chief Executive Carol McLaren visited St Johnstone and met players and team manager Simo Valakari as part of the launch of plans for the tournament.
Jim Smith, who farms just a few miles from Perth, is a lifetime Saints supporter and also regularly plays with a local team. He was delighted to be able to step out in the main stadium and have a chance to tell players and staff about the work of RSABI and the #KeepTalking campaign to encourage people to stay connected and look out for each other, particularly during the winter months which can be especially lonely and isolating for some.
“Despite the transfer window being open when I visited and the fact I showed him some pretty impressive footwork, Simo kept his cards close to his chest as to whether I might be in with a change of a sign-up,” said Jim.
“Seriously though it was a real first for me, having supported St Johnstone all my life, to be able to meet some of the team pitch-side and the fact the players took such a genuine interest in the work of RSABI meant a great deal. I think the tournament is a great idea and something for farmers to really look forward to. The date’s in my diary already – I wouldn’t miss it for the world!”
RSABI is asking those interested in taking part to register at this stage via
Team entry is now officially FULL
The tournament matches will be seven-aside with each squad comprised of 10 players aged 16 years and over.
“We’re very grateful to St Johnstone for kindly hosting the farmer tournament on June 7th. The Club has lots of farmer supporters and also long links with the local agricultural community, including the heritage of the sites of both its current stadium, named after farmer Bruce McDiarmid, and its previous ground, Muirton Park,” said Carol McLaren, Chief Executive of RSABI.
“The tournament will be played on the club’s new all-weather pitches which will be ideal for the event, and there will be lots to see and do for supporters who come along to cheer on teams from the sidelines.
“While we will be fundraising for RSABI on the day and during the run-up to the event, we are sure it will be lots of fun and much less expensive than some other football events in summer 2026!”
Please email football@rsabi.org.uk for more information about sponsorship & hospitality opportunities or call 0131 3644205.
Pictured: Players from St Johnstone Football Club and Jim Smith
RSABI offers free practical, financial, and emotional support including counselling services, delivered quickly after receiving the initial enquiry. Its free confidential support service is available 24 hours a day, every day of the year, by calling 0808 1234 555 (calls won’t show up on phone bills) or through a confidential webchat service, available on RSABI’s website www.rsabi.org.uk.