More than 400 jobs are to be created at Scotland’s 12 Premier League clubs.

In partnership with the Government, they will each give jobs to 36 people – 12 ground staff and 20 community coaches. But First Division Partick Thistle already run a “get back to work” scheme that could prove a model for bigger clubs. CAROLINE WILSON spoke to one of its success stories...

Two years ago former heroin addict James Douglas was living on the streets and fighting a fresh battle with alcohol.

Now, the 39-year-old has been dry for eight months and is feeling a lot more confident about the future, thanks to a winning partnership scheme between Partick Thistle Football Club and a rehabilitation project.

Bosses of the Maryhill side are throwing a lifeline to people recovering from drug and alcohol addiction and reaping major benefits for the club.

Volunteers help keep the club’s Firhill Stadium in good condition and, at the same time, gain work experience, training and skills.

James, a father-of-three, is the first “graduate” of the three-month partnership project between Phoenix Futures and Thistle’s community initiative programme.

Participants carry out a range of confidence-building work, including groundstaff duties on the pitch and cooking and painting rooms.

James, who is from Baillieston, is talking to club bosses about securing a full-time job.

He said: “When I joined the programme my problems were alcohol-related. I had already been through a methadone programme and was going into the city centre and drinking. I had fallen out with the mother of my children and ended up homeless.

“The homeless project I was involved with in the East End thought Phoenix Futures might be a good option for me.

“I do painting and decorating and cutting the grass. It is nice to be part of a football club and the project has really built up my confidence.

“I have not had a drink since last July and am feeling more positive about the future. I am in touch with my two boys and see my 17-year-old daughter every day.”

As an added perk, volunteers on the scheme also get free tickets too see games at Firhill.

James said: “I am from the East End so I am a Celtic fan, but I take some of the boys to Thistle’s games.”

Phoenix Futures is a UK-wide programme that provides a range of services for people recovering from drug and alcohol problems.

Its range of help includes street work, rehabilitation, residential services and prison work.

Kieron Dempsey, director of Partick Thistle’s community engagement programme, said: “Phoenix is a fantastic rehabilitation project and we are delighted to have this partnership.

“We want to use the club’s resources to benefit the community and I see no more fitting way to do that than to support an organisation working to alleviate the area’s well known drug problems.”

Research shows twice as many people in Scotland die from alcohol-related causes than anywhere else in the UK.

Glasgow, Inverclyde, West Dunbartonshire and Renfrewshire top the league table for alcohol-related deaths.

Figures show the number of people seeking help and advice from Community Addiction Teams – which specialise in alcohol and drug dependency – has almost doubled in the last three years.

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde has launched a range of services to support people with alcohol problems.

These include seven new support teams that provide practical face-to-face support and advice to help people stay in their own homes,

10 high-intensity residential rehabilitation beds and an alcohol-related brain damage service, linked to 40 nursing care beds.

Glasgow SNP MSP Bob Doris has given his backing to the Partick Thistle scheme by raising a motion at the Scottish Parliament.

It recognises the courage and commitment from participants recovering from serious addictions.

He said: “This project is a real win-win. The drug and alcohol problem in Glasgow is massive, but we have to recognise the projects that work and stick with them.

“Scottish football needs to innovate to keep people interested in the game and supporting local clubs.

“I would urge other football clubs to consider this model.”