Football

Find out more

• Our Squads

  Saints Football currently supports 3 competitive women’s squads and 7 competitive squads within the men’s programme.

  Players across all squads receive a professional weekly schedule inclusive of high level coaching in top class facilities, providing an excellent football experience for all levels of competitive footballer.

  Coaches deliver our unique playing philosophy within the training programme, to enable our players to develop and compete at the highest level possible, playing in line with the club’s game model and principles.

  Women’s Football Roster 2023
  Men’s Football Roster 2023

  Squads

  

  Women’s 1st Team
  BUCS Premier North

  

  Women’s 2nd Team
  BUCS Scottish Tier 2

  

  Women’s 3rd Team
  BUCS Scottish Tier 3B

  

  Men’s 1st Team
  BUCS Scottish Tier 1

  

  Men’s 2nd Team
  BUCS Scottish Tier 3

  

  Men’s 3rd Team
  BUCS Scottish Tier 3

  

  Men’s 4th Team
  BUCS Scottish Tier 5C

  

  Men’s 5th Team
  BUCS Scottish Tier 5C

  

  Men’s 6th Team
  BUCS Scottish Tier 6B

  

  Men’s 7th Team
  BUCS Scottish Tier 6B

• Competition

  

  British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS) championships

  All 10 teams compete in the British Universities & Colleges Sport (BUCS) Championship.

  British Universities & Colleges Sport (BUCS) is the national governing body for higher education sport in the UK.

  Each squad competes on a weekly basis throughout term time in the tiered BUCS league structure and BUCS knockout competitions, contributing to the University’s overall standing in the BUCS points table.

  2024-25 Fixtures and Results

  • Women’s 1st Team: BUCS Premier North
  • Women’s 2nd Team: BUCS Scottish Tier 2
  • Women’s 3rd Team: BUCS Scottish Tier 3B

  • Men’s 1st Team: BUCS Scottish Tier 1
  • Men’s 2nd Team: BUCS Scottish Tier 3
  • Men’s 3rd Team: BUCS Scottish Tier 3
  • Men’s 4th Team: BUCS Scottish Tier 5C
  • Men’s 5th Team: BUCS Scottish Tier 5C
  • Men’s 6th Team: BUCS Scottish Tier 6B
  • Men’s 7th Team: BUCS Scottish Tier 6B

  

  Kingdom of Fife Amateur Football Association

  The Club also enters a Men’s team in the local Kingdom of Fife Amateur Football Association weekly league and cup competitions, offering players in squads 2-6 a different level of football to university sport through BUCS.

  The University’s Amateur Team currently plays in the Championship (second tier) and other cup competitions.

• Recreational Opportunities

  In addition to the recreational football sessions operated by Saints Football Club, Saints Sport runs a very successful football league programme that is open to all and offers the continuity of playing football with a regular team but in a more informal environment. You don’t have to be a member of a club or team – just gather a group of friends and sign-up.

  

  6-a-side Community Leagues
  Saints 6s is open to students, staff and members of the local community, and offers a number of different leagues and competitions at different times of the year:

  • Autumn League – October to December
  • Winter Cup – January
  • Spring League – February to May
  • Champions League – June to August

  Teams are grouped into leagues of similar ability and battle it out for the title during each 10-week league campaign.

  Games run throughout the week and can start as early as 6.30pm and run until 10:30pm. Games are one hour long and are played on the six a-side pitches on the sand-dressed synthetic turf pitch at Saints Sport.

  

  Sunday League
  The Saints Sunday League programme is a series of 11 a-side football leagues open to all students at St Andrews. Approximately 200 students play in the programme every Sunday during term time, with teams grouped into leagues of similar ability that compete for promotion/relegation at the end of the season.

  The first semester season runs from September to December and second semester season from February to April. Matches take place on the 3G Rubbercrumb and grass football pitches at University Park, and kick off times vary throughout a Sunday Morning and Afternoon. The format for the Sunday Leagues is as follows:

  • Maximum 16 players per squad
  • Each match is two halves of 45 minutes
  • All matches officiated
  • Number of entries dictates competition format

  Find out more
  For more information please visit the Sports Leagues section of the Saints Sport website.

• Facilities

  

  Performance Centre

  Players within the football programme have access to world-class facilities at St Andrews which enhances our ability to offer a professional environment allowing players to maximise their potential.

  Saints Sport offers a wide range of indoor and outdoor sports facilities, which are available all year round.

  Indoor facilities

  • dedicated performance suite for performances teams and sport scholars
  • modern, spacious gym
  • exercise studio
  • four-court sports hall
  • new technical climbing wall
  • eight-court arena
  • four-court indoor tennis centre

  Outdoor facilities

  • 13 grass pitches
  • full-size floodlit 3G synthetic pitch
  • sand-dressed synthetic pitch
  • four tennis courts
  • additional multi-sport grass pitches
  • multi-sport courts

  

  Pitches
  The grass pitches at University Park are renowned across the country as amongst the finest in Scotland. The three premium grass pitches that make up the Carnegie Fields are amongst the finest playing surfaces in the country. Each pitch benefits from a fully-automated, remote controlled Hunter irrigation system equipped with 24 individual sprinklers per pitch for maximum water.

  Our full size FIFA standard floodlit 3G synthetic pitch provides an additional all-weather training space and a venue for a series of regular evening matches.

  Performance Suite
  Players on the performance team also make use of the top class Performance Suite – a dedicated Strength and Conditioning gym that provides a private space for the performance squad to train undisturbed. Sessions are run by expert Strength and Conditioning accredited coaches who develop football specific programmes for our athletes.

  ProSport – professional training camps
  The high standard of our facilities has been praised by many professionals who have visited St Andrews, including Manchester United FC, West Ham United FC, Brighton & Hove Albion FC, Manchester City FC, FC Barcelona and Everton FC.

  Dundee United FC have based their training ground at the High Performance Centre at University Park since 2009 and continue to receive support from our Strength and Conditioning team.

  The peaceful and private setting of University Park continues to attract many professional teams to St Andrews each year for pre-season or mid-season training camps. To find out more about the training facilities available to external teams and professional athletes, visit the ProSport St Andrews website.

• Coach Education and Volunteering

  The University provides many opportunities for students to gain coaching qualifications during their time at St Andrews by running subsidised courses each year.

  Our coach education programme allows students to develop their coaching and teaching skills in various training environments throughout the year.

  • Through the Scottish Football Association we are able to offer Level 1, 2 and 3 online coaching courses aimed at candidates from our student body and local prospective coaches.
  • We encourage students to take the next level when appropriate and can offer considerable subsidies towards course fees.
  • Once qualified, students can gain experience and develop their skills by coaching in local community projects:
    • Internal club coaching opportunities with recreational and competitive teams
    • Youth coaching at St Andrews and East Neuk Girls Football Club – coaching
    • Volunteer coaches have the opportunity to travel to Africa each summer as part of the University’s international volunteering programme.

• How To Get Involved

  Whether you are new to the sport or an experienced footballer, already attend the University or if you are thinking about attending, please get in touch to register your interest and find out more about our club.

  Sports Fayre

  The University hosts a Sports Fayre at the beginning of each academic year during Orientation Week, giving prospective players the opportunity to talk to club members and sign up to ‘Give It A Go’ sessions. Members of our committee will be on hand to answer any questions you may have.

  Give It A Go

  The Football Club hold their Give It A Go taster sessions on the Wednesday of Orientation Week (please check the club’s social media channels and the orientation app for updates nearer the time).

  Pre-season training camp

  For any students already playing competitive football we urge you to get in touch during the spring/summer so we can determine if you’d be suitable to attend our pre-season training camp. Pre-season training camp generally runs 7-9 days before Orientation Week each year.

  Please email the club to register your interest: [email protected]

  Club Membership

  All matriculated students at the University can join the Football Club.

  Please visit the Saints Sport website for a full list of club membership options, prices and information on how to purchase your membership.

  Prospective Students

  Are you interested in enrolling in the University of St Andrews and want to be involved in football whilst you study? Please contact Director of Football Stuart Milne with any questions or further information on the football programms.