On Sunday it will be Keiran’s job as mascot to lead out the AFC first team at Hampden Park for the Betfred Cup Final clash with Celtic.

“Hi my name is Kieran. I was born on the 7th of July 2005 in Aberdeen and was brought up in Torry. I started playing football just for fun when I was about 5 and I joined my first team when I turned 6, Dee Boys Club.”
“I go to Walker Road Primary School and currently play for the school team. I love playing football and try to play like my favourite players Graeme Shinnie, Jonny Hayes and I love watching Cristiano Ronaldo for all his skills and goals.”

 “Every Monday I go to the ‘Torry United’ programme. Me and 9 of my classmates get picked up from my primary school from the Aberdeen FC Community Trust coaches and walk up to Torry Academy. At the academy, we meet 10 pupils from Tullos Primary School in Torry and 10 1st year pupils from the academy who are young leaders. We all work together in the classroom session and then work as one big team when we play football”

Torry United is a programme funded through the participatory budget and was chosen by young people in the Torry Area. ‘Torry United’ is a programme designed to give local youngsters the chance to access free football session and extra learning opportunities.

As well as the participants developing new skills, the programme also helps with the integration of the two primary schools in preparation for their 1st year at Torry Academy. The young leaders from Torry Academy will then be a friendly face next term for the new 1st year pupils.

Enjoy your day at Hampden Keiran!