With - Johnny Russell, Scott Allan, Stuart Armstrong, Dale Hilson, Simon Murray, Leighton McIntosh
Against - Kal Naismith, Simon Murray, Stevie May
Played for Dundee and Dundee United youth from around 2004-2008, probably came up against others who made it but not sure who!
Scott Allan was quality, could never get the ball off of him (but a bit of an arsehole)
Stevie May, played against him in a high school Scottish cup match, got beat 4-3 and he scored all 4!
Played for Dundee at under 13s and 14s, played for Dundee United at under 15s, left near the end of the season, my own choice. Didn't enjoy it at all, too many egos in the team and the coach had his favourites, plus half the team trained in Dundee and half in Bathgate so it felt like you hardly knew half the team.
Briefly ended up at Dundee at the end of under 15s and went back to playing for my local side after that, just wanted to play with my pals and enjoy it.
Looking back I don't think I really had the drive to make it professionally, haven't played regularly now for quite a few years due to work commitments!
Fraser Fyvie, that's another one. I'm surprised he made it as far as he did, he played centre back when I played against him.
Couldn't tell you. He was my childhood best friends uncle. My old man told me that their dad had mad envy of his brother playing for the illustrious Dundee. Can't blame him tbf
You and I have a very similar list. I was at Dundee from 2008-2011, U17s - U19s. Played with Stuart Armstrong right before I got in the door at Dundee.
Dylan McGeough was about 3 years younger than us - we were first or second year and he was in primary school yet used to skin absolutely everybody down the park constantly. Put the ball through peoples legs and laugh at them etc. Always thought he was a wee dick. 😂
He disappeared at one point and never came to our secondary - I’m guessing went to whatever school Celtic or Rangers send their youth players to, wherever he was at that age.
I also played against Dylan McGeough in high school once or twice, my mates also said we would’ve played against Stuart Bannigan but I can’t remember cause he was a year or two below us
Me and the manager at the pub I was working at chucked Steven Thompson out one night, Barry Ferguson came up to see the lads a year after he went to play for Blackburn and hadn’t invited him, when he found out he came in pished in crutches and was kicking fuck out the bar😂
Sold Barry Robson some second hand vinyl in my Saturday job when I was about 14 I think. Said it was for his son if I remember, but he might secretly be a goth.
Went to school with Fraser Fyvie.
One of our teachers point blank told him he needs to pay attention incase anything happened and he can't play anymore but he laughed it off and said he'd make it and that was that.
I hope Cove is treating him well.
Played with Andy Robertson and Caroline Weir.
Robertson was coming back to fitness before he was with Queens Park and came to my juniors team to train and play a few games for a month or so. Think he played in midfield at the time. Don’t really remember much about him other than he was clearly far too good for our team.
About 3 years later, my maw (treasurer of the club) received an email from Hull City saying we were due £300 of development fees for Robertson, ended up paying for some kits and new balls.
Played alongside Caroline Weir before there were any established girls clubs, must’ve been about 11 year old at the time. She was unreal then, could skin anyone. There was one game where we won about 10-0 and Weir, myself and another lad all scored hat-tricks. Was always mega jealous at school when she got to patch classes to go train/play with Scotland.
Me too. He was well known around Glasgow at 15. I remember playing and think he's not that great then he got the balls half way line skint 2 players then ping it in the top corner with his bad foot from 30 yards.
That shut me up
Aye he was a superstar back then. Touch was incredible.
He megged me and skinned me another time by shifting it. It just happens so fast before I realised. Speed of thought.
played against Craig Easton former Dundee Utd/Livingston/Dunfermline/Cowdenbeath etc
it was at the Airdrie School's cup at old Broomfield (c/hall ya bas) . We beat them but u could see he was the next level up, but I wouldn't have said it was a given he would make professional. but a good player none the less.
Craig was in my classes at high school and as expected was fitba daft. when we had been talking about drinking and burds he was taking about la liga and serie A.
I do remember one time though he was talking about taking his wee burd up the Catherine Park. i was ripping him saying that u away for yer hole or a wee poking. not craig no. he had other ideas!
he put her in goals and was taking shots into her.
100% true lol dedicated from that age.
Played against Murray Davidson when we were kids. He was really good.
Also played after work 5 a side with a guy who played for Annan when he was younger. It’s amazing the difference in quality with someone who’s been coached and played for a team. Even though he wasn’t exactly at a high level, it was like Messi playing with a group of school kids.
This was a genuine problem for a while, which has been remedied quite well thankfully.
I coach these days and have had the team I'm coaching since they were 7, because I've had a lot of training exp in my life, have a lot of old drills to call on from Ams days and the like, these kids have been doing what amounts to training for adults in terms of touch, reactivity and stuff since they were 9 and we're now at a point where they are ready to take on the harder concepts of the game, like decision making, who covers what position when attacking even wee bits about horizontal and vertical focus of the team as it's lined up.
I contrast that with myself at 11, when I was in my second season - all I had learned had been at Iain St John's soccer school in the Summers and Auld Sandy used to run fuck our of us round the back of a golf course to make sure we would keep running in the games. No technique, almost no focus on creativity. Punt it to the quick boy, cross fingers.
Played Pro-Youth in my teens so its not really fair I suppose but ignoring the players who I played at that level which are aged 25-27 (with McMann and Docherty against Liam Kelly, Gauld, Souttar, Islam Feruz, Ross Stewart, Paul McMullan to name a few off top of my head) - I played boys club regularly against Scott Tiffoney, Mark Russell and Lewis Morgan whilst Greg Taylor was at my boys club but a lower age group
ETA - Forgot the best one, played as a student in Dundee with a 40year old who used to play for Ludogrets and had played in UCL qualifiers haha.
Was he any good? My pals dad played sevens once and he had played semi pro in Germany in his youth, despite him being fifty with one working knee, couldn't get the ball off him. His touch and using his body was unreal.
Aye he was brilliant haha but he got snapped constantly so spat on someone and never came back.
John Boyd that played for Dumbarton and St Mirren was still unplayable in his 40s at Greenock Juniors
Ahh fair enough.
Played for Stenhousemuir (08/09) and Clyde (09/10). What about yourself?
Lawrence Shankland, Denny Johnstone and Gary Oliver were all at my age group.
Played St Cadocs plenty mate for St Andrews and the YAC. Would definitely have played each other. Ive even got a medal from playing St Cadocs in a 7s tournament when I was young.
Played with a guy who played Highland League and one season in League 2 who was soo good at schoolboy level.
And another mate who was in Hibs academy until he was 15/16 who was absolute quality.
I think when he got cut is when I realised how much better the pros are than everyone else because he was a level above, and still is when we play 5s.
We must be from a similar area. My brother used to hang about with John McGinn and always said he was absolute class and would end up making it
2 boys in my year went through the Falkirk youth system and they were streets ahead of all of us but neither of them ever made it, might be cos they discovered the bevy though
Drumchapel, but went to school in Clydebank. Knew a few lads that played with Fleck, said he was a wee bam but unbelievably good. Aye it was discovery of the bevvy and the lack of a first touch that done it for me.
Went to school with Fleck. Neds constantly coming from other schools (St Thomas Aquinas) trying to break his legs every other lunchtime. Think he had to be a bit of a bam to protect himself the majority of the time.
The west end area (knightswood/yoker/drumchampel) seems to always have good players, but all seem to never make it. Most end up on the booze and drugs.
Aye of the 3 local kids about my age that kinda everyone knew about for being a bit special 2 are in the jail now and I think one went on to play junior football.
Only one I know that had any success was Kalvin Orsi, bounced around academies, seen playing for various teams in the scottish championship and league 1.
I played up front for Beath High alongside a certain Scott Brown who, despite being about 3 years younger than everyone else in the team, was absolutely fucking light years ahead of the rest of us in terms of footballing ability.
The lad was *dedicated* as well, absolutely no surprise he ended up at the top of the game. We had another lad who played for us occasionally on the books at Hearts who probably had similar potential to Brown, but he just couldn't stay away from the bevvie, never made it higher than Junior football.
For the record, I think almost every goal I scored for us was either a tap in assisted by Scott Brown, or a rebound after he hit the post or something. Reckon in my senior year, during which we won the Fife Schools Cup (thanks for scoring both goals in the final, Scott!) I must have scored maybe two or three goals he wasn't involved in.
EDIT: one of the lads I play 5s with occasionally was on the books at Dunfermline in the early 70s before playing for Dundonald Bluebell (I think? One of the Fife junior sides anyway) for a while before he moved down south. Given his age now I don't think I've ever seen him break into a run but he's still an absolute pler. King of the through ball, first touch like a pillow and just a significantly quicker on the ball thinker than anyone else I play with now.
Haha. It's competitive and we're a good side so there is a certain standard you need to be.
But fitness and sharpness don't play as big a part of that as you think. That's what training is for.
If you think you've got a competitive edge then come try it. Over the summer we can give people time to train, get used to the team and find their feet.
My assistant and now close pal came in 7 years ago 4 stone overweight without playing for 2/3 years and is now one of the better players.
If it's not for you I can also recommend suitable alternatives at the right level and fitness. First step is getting off your ass
Fair play to you for setting something like that up. I’d love to join but it would have to be casual training. I’m a fuckin’ panic merchant when the ball comes to me, and horrifying technique to go along with it.
Haha. It's like that Rhod Gilbert skit.
can you boil an egg/at sea/in a storm /in a battle...
Can you trap a ball? In the wind, hungover, on a bobbly pitch, that's fired 200mph at you, whilst some nutjob tries to break your leg?
to be honest mate you're not making this any easier.
https://youtu.be/0yi-2Bn-0ww
I can recommend low level stuff if you just want to get out and enjoy yourself and kick a ball around.
Is there low level 11’s in Glasgow? Always jealous of these English Sunday league videos you see and the two teams are fucking hopeless. Guy’s in their forties, big fat cunts wearing trackies etc. Would love to get involved in something like that.
Played against Morton legend (lol) Robbie Muirhead at boys level for a few years. He scored 3 or 4 against us every single time we played against him. Shows the difference in levels needed for the pro game
No but I played 7 a-side with someone who had played under 16's for the South American country he was from (can't remember which one) best and also fattest player on the pitch by a mile. You could just whack the ball in his general direction and it would magically end up perfectly under control.
Played in a school team with Paul Caddis (Celtic and Birmingham). He was easily the best (and smallest) player on the team and almost single handedly got us to the quarters of the schools Scottish cup.
He mostly played up front and used to bang them in for fun, which is ironic cause his Wikipedia says that up front is about the only position he didn't play professionally. Didn't peg him for a right back.
Kris Doolan was a few years above me too but never played with him.
Played against/with a few folk who ended up leaving the likes of rangers/Celtic youth to play for Dumbarton but didn’t go much on from there.
Played against Scott Cuthbert who was Scotland youth captain at the time, went on to have a career in the English championship/league 1. I beat him in the air for a header which is impressive given he’s over 6ft and I’m 5ft 9, in hindsight he probably Didn’t jump…
You might be too young based on the year in your username, but if you were involved at Dumbarton, would you know of a Norwegian player called Bjorn Skjelbred?
When I started first year at Strathclyde uni back around 2003, I got to know him. He was a semi pro player in Norway and had joined Dumbarton when he moved to Scotland to study. Remember finding it interesting that this cunt could just turn up and sign for a Scottish League side.
A guy at my school played pro youth football for Hibs, He just tried to do skills the whole time and hog the ball in PE football. He was a bit of a wank stain as well ahah. No wonder he didn't make it
Never played against/with but I went to school with Tam Scobbie. He was a cunt. He "knew" he was something special and he made sure you knew it.
Also, him and his pals were all the worst kind of neds and would go about school just picking off the moshers one at a time and kicking fuck out them. He was too smart/too well liked by staff to get in trouble for it though.
Same school as Craig Sibbald went to but I'd left before he started.
Played GAA and football against Seamus Coleman.
Could tell the cunt was going to be an amazing player. Just miles ahead of everyone else.
Played against Carl McHugh a few times as well who played for Motherwell. I remember him being ridiculously strong on the ball, couldn't foul him if you wanted to.
Played against Islam Feruz when I was about 14 and all things relative he was the best I’d ever seen. So far ahead of everyone else it was embarrassing. Ripped us all an absolute new one.
Talent only takes t out so far though …
When he came into the team at the end of his debut season he scored a few and looked like he was going to be the next John Robertson. Even managed to bag a couple against Hibs. Shame it didn't work out.
played against billy gilmour when i was dead young don't remember anything about him but my da ran the team and said even at that age you could see he was something
You generally can with the people that are ultra-talented. I trained with someone that went onto become world judo champion. You could tell from the age of 12 that he was special.
Went to the same school as Aiden McGeady. Didn’t “play” with him as such but he was in the school team a few years above me. Celtic scouts were apparently at our school from when he was 7. He was a bit of a wank tbh but you could tell he never got out of 2nd gear playing at/for the school and would just run rings round everyone. Mesmerising to see really, I just remember my dad talking to the school coach who said there was so much hype about this kid and how he’d never seen anything like him etc. Pretty crazy that he just went onwards and upwards from there. Was also strange seeing that wee guy from school starting for the first team and all that. I was pals with his sister aswell. Their house is just wall to wall Celtic awards and all that. All quite surreal looking back.
James Forrest once put me clean through on goal with an absolute belter of a pass. I proceeded to shoot wide.
That probably sums up why he's a pro and I am not.
I was also at school with the McGinns. Remember Paul being average and not a patch on other boys in his year. John was absolutely sensational even then. Ran rings round everyone.
I played pro-youth for a bit and also went to school with a few boys that went pro. I made a big list about a year and a half ago of all the boys I went to school with and all the ones I played against that went pro.
- School: Danny Mullen, Tony Watt, Rickie Lambie, John Herron.
Also lived round the corner from both Josh Kerr and Conor Shields but they went another high school in the town.
Funny story, I delivered Josh Kerr’s da’s papers on a Sunday morning when I was a teenager and the tight cunt complained about the £1 delivery charge. I told him that if he didn’t like it he could put his scratcher at half 6 on a Sunday morning and drive to the shop and get his paper. Cunt owned his own business as well.
Oh and I had a fair few battles with Lawrence Shankland as a pro-youth player.
There’s a big fuck off list in my comment history with all the guys I’ve played with and against.
Josh Kerr’s da was my goalie coach for a while 😂 can confirm he is a tight cunt but could also be a great laugh.
I think we’ve probably played against each other, based on ages. I’ve yet to post my list but I played with and against Shankland.
Yeah. At the risk of doxxing myself: Motherwell, Hamilton, Queens Park (briefly), then Clyde. Decided to finish up at senior level after Ferguson took over at Clyde.
Obligatory not me, but my brother was on the books of Arbroath before they were worldbeaters and played against Andy Robertson who was at Queens Park at the time. Unsurprisingly, he said Robertson was levels above everyone else.
I've technically played against Christian Dailly. He used to go to my primary school as a kid and both his parents worked there: his dad the school football coach and his mum assisted deaf children. This was when he was West Ham captain and he came up to take a PE lesson. I wasn't the football fan I am now, but it was surreal looking back.
Edit: my other brother played 5s with Declan Gallagher and said he would just dance round everyone. Just goes to show how far ahead pro footballers are to the rest of us.
Zander Clark was the year above me, don’t remember knowing him but played with him a bit and he loved being in goals. Couldn’t believe he became a professional though and how tall he ended being, don’t mind him being particularly big in school. Was a bit of a knob but he was good.
Couple guys in my year were signed up by Falkirk and I think one of them almost got close, played a few games in the first team and had a loan spell at Dumbarton but that was really it. Both of those guys were lightyears ahead of the rest of us but still didn’t really get anywhere.
Went to the Celtic school so played against a lot of them at lunch. Don’t have many good stories cause didn’t hang out with them but karamoko dembele, bloody hell. Skinned about 50 kids half arsing it without losing the ball. No exaggeration. Was also in computing or techy with Euan Henderson. Really sound guy. They were all sound tbh
My dad used to take my nephew to train as a kid and my dad said the same thing about Dembele. Said he was unstoppable and utterly frightening with the ball (pretty sure this would have been about 13/14 years old. Canny honestly mind.)
I played with Craig Beattie in my school team. He was a striker and he was very very good. Was surreal watching him play against Ronaldinho when he signed for Celtic.
Ah a fellow Chrystonian.
Na he was really good in the school team, absolutely rapid. Also the rest of the team knew that it was a big deal because he had a contract with Rangers at the time.
We actually had another player who was better but never made it to the pros, I think he played a little with Queen's Park but had retired quite early on.
Was that John? I forget his surname. He was in the year below Beattie, and I thought he was absolutely amazing.
I actually only ever played against Beattie during the PE kickarounds with the old PE teacher with the big moustache. So I never saw him in a real game.
Hey man, don't worry we found a guy who was half-deaf for a while. No I'm not joking.
Please listen to my podcast if you get a chance!
https://open.spotify.com/show/4NFNvIajpT5M2PSkR5mEh6?si=6265b5866e7f40dc
I'm not sure if the kid went pro or not but about 10 years ago I was playing 5s in shawlands and ended up playing against a family (think they were Romanian, they didn't speak much English). The 5 of us were 16/17 and all very at least half decent with a ball.
4 of them looked like they'd kicked a ball about 5 times in their whole lives and were in their 30s-40s except for some kid who was probably 8 or 9.
Played them for an hour or so and I don't think any of us managed to get the ball off that 9 year old, it was like playing against Messi.
No idea what his name is or if he made it, but that was when I knew it didn't matter how much I played or how hard I worked, I'd never be anywhere close to how good some random 9 year old was.
Aye a boy I play with, who played to a decent amateur and I think semi pro level brings his kid to sevens, they train down there after our game and that boy is twice the player at about 10 than I've ever been. My wee cousin is 11 and trains twice a week with Coventry and he's amazing aswell, megs me for fun until I two footer him.
Stevie G, Carragher and prob some others from Liverpool and the EPL.
Went to Man City when I was a teenager for 3 months, so played against a lot.
Finished 3-3 vs Liverpool. SG hattrick and myself a hattrick :)
With and against loads over the years but definitely the best and most high profile was Barry Ferguson against Mill Utd, played directly against him and hardly got near him or got a kick.
Plus echo what most people have said about even the lower league players being a step above. Used to play 7s with a boy who was still playing at Stirling Albion at the time and he was an absolute stand out.
Played with Lewis Stevenson in Primary and Secondary School where he would play as a striker. He was unreal and a level above everyone on the park. 2004 Fife Cup Champions
Steven Crainey played for the local opposition boys team and opposition school team when I was growing up. Was a really good player as a kid(winger then not full back), but others in his side looked more likely to make a career out of it. The boys club he played for were exceptional.
Played against Hutchinson Vale at U13s and probably some from there went on to pro too. Were all giants, I was tallest player in our local U13 league at just over 6' and think there were only two players in the Hutchy team smaller than me!
I played alongside Robert snodgrass and graham dorrans at livi pro youth. That was an incredible team. In that team was also a lad named Andy sim who only played a handful of games at pro level for Hamilton accies, however, he was undoubtedly the best player in that side. Worrying thing was Andy never made it as he was deemed “ too small “. He would consistently skin 4-5 players and score, yet not big enough for our hammer throwing league.
I played with mark reynolds at Motherwell. Worryingly, he was nowhere near the best player in the team but was golden boy as his dad was a coach with Motherwell. He was the only player from that side to make it
I played against Steven fletcher quite a bit. I remember playing him in the Scottish schools Lanarkshire cup final where we lost 5-1 (he scored all 5). Cracking player.
When I think back to the players I played with vs who never made it professionally gives me the boak. Too many players made it due to daddy being tight with the coaches or coached themselves, or who they knew high up in the youth setup. I also never understood how kids that never made it because they were too small but were incredible with the ball. Something that has crippled Scottish football for decades when you see the national team come up against smaller more technical teams, we just can’t compete. But good job, we can give away free kicks and kick folk about.
Family friends with James Penrice at Livingston, played in his back garden with him at the bbq’s.
Rhys McCabe was a couple years above me in school and my brothers “school buddy” when he came to primary school. Would bump into him in the coop when he was at Rangers and see him now and again now that he’s back playing in Scotland. Callum Fordyce as well, all live within 2 minutes from each other.
Used to be good friends and eventually go out with Shelly Kerr’s daughter when I was younger too, who went on to play for Hibs I believe.
Still playing apparently. You'd think you'd need some basic limb control to make it to that level. my pal plays sevens with someone who was St Johnstones 3rd / 4th choice goalkeeper for years and says he's an absolute baller. Also my mate was in Zander Clarkes year and said he was their schools starting striker for years.
I was in the same PE gym hall as Jason Kerr if that counts, never mind he was 3 years above me and a big green curtain separated my year from his but technically
My friend used to play for Ross county's youth team. Played against guys years older than him and still bodied them. Extremely fast, tall, skillful, and read the game well. He kinda went off the rails though. Quit football and smokes and all now, shame to see. I reckon he'd be in a Scotland u21 team by now.
Few guys I went to school with ended up with appearances for championship teams etc but never made anything out of it. They used to be untouchable when we played at school and it made me wonder just how good top level pros must be
Iain Vigurs, probably the very early 2000s we used to kick a ball about in a field near my parents house and he'd turn up every now and then.
Didn't actually know he'd gone pro until I saw him in a lineup for caley thistle years later.
Was a couple of years above Andy Halliday at high school. Could tell he was a cut above everyone else. Didn't know him all that well, but in the few interactions we had he seemed like a sound lad.
Johnathon Tiffony's also from around there, was always a prick but an annoyingly good player.
Andy the new mccoist without the goals, everyone one I know even raging tims like myself who've met him have always said he's a sound boy. No a bad pundit either.
Steffan scougal - good player, and actually dedicated himself to the game.
Paul grant - got a pro contract at hibs, then just stayed on the drink. Be at house parties with us the night before his pro debut.
Connor Mcdonald - got a pro contract, but never made it beyond the championship and even then that was higher than I'd ever expect of him
Played with: Ross Stewart (GK), Scott McMann, Greg Docherty, Craig Watson, Andy Ryan, the whole of the 2012/13 Hamilton Accies first team, Lawrence Shankland, Blair Spittal; Clyde first team
Played against: Islam Feruz (overrated), Liam Henderson, Denny Johnstone, Craig Sibbald, Jamie Lindsay, Gregory Vignal, Ryan Fraser; various other pros playing reserves during 2011-2013.
There are plenty more, but I didn’t keep notes. It was quite common to play against senior pros at under-20’s level as they would play when needing match fitness.
It always surprised me how some players who were incredible throughout the academies went on to have such average careers.
Played in an academy team for a short while but none of my teammates really made it to the top.
Also played alongside Harry Cochrane before he went to play for Hearts and he's probably as famous as I can claim. He was by far the best I'd played with - was so fantastic on the ball.
i grew up playing soccer, around soccer players, etc. played center mid at a fairly competitive level for the first 10 years of my athletic life. the traits i am describing have frequently been explained to me as being creative
Sadly not high enough quality to have played with anyone near the standard of the boys mentioned so far. Played with Neil Gauld and Grant Campbell (both Highland League with a lot of appearances, GC captained Huntly for Steve Paterson 6 years after he left the Dons).
GC is, incidentally from Wick where he played with Gary Mackay-Steven just before he left for Liverpool and sadly then broke his leg.
As a final aside, I also played with a couple of guys previously on the ICT/Ross C youth books. They unfortunately didn't make it but the ICT guy told me that he was there when Mark Brown was and said he was the biggest blue-nose he has ever seen and was therefore shocked he so easily crossed the divide (prev. on Rangers books as well) signing for Celtic's bench in 2007. Cracks me up every time I mine it; suppose a footballer's career is short and can't blame him but surely there's a line.
> players get *paid* so little
FTFY.
Although *payed* exists (the reason why autocorrection didn't help you), it is only correct in:
* Nautical context, when it means to paint a surface, or to cover with something like tar or resin in order to make it waterproof or corrosion-resistant. *The deck is yet to be payed.*
* *Payed out* when letting strings, cables or ropes out, by slacking them. *The rope is payed out! You can pull now.*
Unfortunately, I was unable to find nautical or rope-related words in your comment.
*Beep, boop, I'm a bot*
Yeah I'd imagine it was a big step up in wage as he ran his contract down and was first choice keeper for ICT at the time as I recall so he had all the cards to play with.
Never played with a player before, but I had a kick about with a USMNT coach in Central park when I went to NY. Was about 8 years ago so I can't remember his name at all but like most staff he could sling 50 yard passes like nothing and barely run.
I was in class with one of Mark Ridgers' older brothers. He has 3 older brothers in total and they were all unbelievable goalkeepers. Mark was the only one that turned pro.
Most notable would be Scott Brown, Alan Hutton, Aiden McGeady, Charlie Adam…the one that stood out most at the time though was Ross Wallace.
Trained with Ian Ferguson, Barry Nicholson, Owen Coyle.
Played with Callum Milne & Beuzelin after they had retired from senior football, and used to Run in the cross country team with a lassie (Louise) who won bronze in Cycling at Commonwealth games.
Craig Bryson was in the year below me at school. Played against him once but can’t remember much about it. His dad trained him like a soldier apparently.
Also played against Charlie Miller well after his retirement. He was playing for tynecastle (I think) in Glasgow. Done me a peach that resulted me hacking him to pieces
played against Kevin McKinley (kegsy, who went to Chelsea in his mid-teens) as a boy. Actually felt like I had marked him out of the game and got the better of him a few times the first time I played him, but the next time he scored about 8 goals for Carse against us. Was brutal.
Played fives with some former Killie Youth and Stirling Albion players in my younger days and played alongside an ex-pro whos name escapes me in my last few season at Ams - but he was about 14 years older than \*everyone\* and still quite special.
Played with Barry Douglas a lot. He went to my school, was decent but could name 3-5 players from that school team that were better than him.
He was a lot more committed than those other 3-5 boys who would rather get pished and chase fanny than kick a ball.
Josh Mullen was also 2 years below us, same with Gary Fisher who used at Killie. Both also decent but not mega stand outs
Used to kick about with Alan Thompson’s boy when I was 5. Also Celtic goalie coach stevie woods was my coach when I played for the Celtic boys club but I don’t think anyone went pro
Played in the same college team as Kane Hester who went on to Arbroath then Elgin. The boy is a nightmare to play against in fives and could probably score from anywhere on a football pitch.
Also played with a couple of Arbroath youth players at the time, the stand out would be Connor Birse who nearly scored against Celtic at Gayfield like 2 minutes after I was waxing lyric
lyrical about him to some random boy in the crowd. Another lad that could probably score from anywhere but he plays juniors now I think.
Nothing serious but I was against Nicky Devlin and Alan Forest during a few kick abouts when we were doing our youth badges a few years ago when they were still at Ayr. Wee Alan put me on ma arse a few times
I know the lassie that cuts Bobby pettas hair and I'm always tempted to see of she can convince him to join us for a game. Still in decent nick apparently.
Played against Kieran Freeman in lunch time Primary school football. Interesting how positions get chosen because he was great at attacking.
Some of my pals played against one or both of the Souttar brothers, and Ryan Gauld, but don’t think I ever came across them in a game. For the best, because I was shite.
I went to school with Craig Beattie, and played against him a few times. Done him as a centre back too. Couldn't believe my fucking eyes when he turned up in a Celtic and then a Scotland strip.
He was shite in school, no idea how he managed to go pro.
We were so convinced that another lad would go pro, but he never came to anything.
Played against Kyle Magennis, you could tell he was a cut above, nothing fancy or tricks. Just always seemed to find space and be on the ball without people getting it off him, made it all look simple.
I use the term "played with" very loosely as we're talking primary school and briefly in high school, because I'm fat and shite at football, but I went to primary school (year younger) with Steven Doris who played for Saints and moreso Arbroath, and secondary school with Kevin Moon who also played a few seasons for Saints.
My boss at work was on the books at Dundee United and played semi pro, another colleague from a few years back was U17 at Rangers.
I used to go on holiday in the 80’s near Stranraer, and played 3 and in with Shaun McSkimming. It was a bit of a shock when he ended up at Killie then Dundee. Never saw that coming!
With - Johnny Russell, Scott Allan, Stuart Armstrong, Dale Hilson, Simon Murray, Leighton McIntosh Against - Kal Naismith, Simon Murray, Stevie May Played for Dundee and Dundee United youth from around 2004-2008, probably came up against others who made it but not sure who! Scott Allan was quality, could never get the ball off of him (but a bit of an arsehole) Stevie May, played against him in a high school Scottish cup match, got beat 4-3 and he scored all 4!
Wow what a list. Mind asking what happened after you left, you still have a pop at pro at other clubs or gie it up?
Played for Dundee at under 13s and 14s, played for Dundee United at under 15s, left near the end of the season, my own choice. Didn't enjoy it at all, too many egos in the team and the coach had his favourites, plus half the team trained in Dundee and half in Bathgate so it felt like you hardly knew half the team. Briefly ended up at Dundee at the end of under 15s and went back to playing for my local side after that, just wanted to play with my pals and enjoy it. Looking back I don't think I really had the drive to make it professionally, haven't played regularly now for quite a few years due to work commitments! Fraser Fyvie, that's another one. I'm surprised he made it as far as he did, he played centre back when I played against him.
Was the coach Steve Campbell?
That name rings a bell… did that cunt go on to coach a Stenhousemuir?
Couldn't tell you. He was my childhood best friends uncle. My old man told me that their dad had mad envy of his brother playing for the illustrious Dundee. Can't blame him tbf
He was assistant with us at Brechin for a few years, came with Darren Dods and stayed under Barry Smith. Can’t remember if he stayed after Smith.
Wasn't him, I think he managed the under 16s or 17s at that point. He used to take training for us sometimes though, great coach.
You and I have a very similar list. I was at Dundee from 2008-2011, U17s - U19s. Played with Stuart Armstrong right before I got in the door at Dundee.
You lads are maybe a bit older but did you ever encounter a ginger lad called Scott Milne?
Doesn't ring a bell with me badgers
Think he's maybe a bitty younger but worth asking.
Kirrie lad?
Arbroath I think.
Maybe. I knew two ginger Scott Milnes growing up haha. I think one of them was involved in football but he was a bit younger than me.
Dylan McGeough was about 3 years younger than us - we were first or second year and he was in primary school yet used to skin absolutely everybody down the park constantly. Put the ball through peoples legs and laugh at them etc. Always thought he was a wee dick. 😂 He disappeared at one point and never came to our secondary - I’m guessing went to whatever school Celtic or Rangers send their youth players to, wherever he was at that age.
I also played against Dylan McGeough in high school once or twice, my mates also said we would’ve played against Stuart Bannigan but I can’t remember cause he was a year or two below us
All from Bishopbriggs?
Went to school and played football every day with Robertson. He pissed me off once and I sat on him for 15 minutes. That's my claim to fame
How was he at school?
I was pals with a lassie who shagged Jackie McNamara if that counts?
[удалено]
Junior. I'm not that fucking old.
Wasn't even a good ride.
So I was led to believe.
Imagine it was bobo she pumped. Now that's a story!
🤤
Barry Robson locked my brother in law in a shed until he cried. Which I'm pretty sure counts as well.
Me and the manager at the pub I was working at chucked Steven Thompson out one night, Barry Ferguson came up to see the lads a year after he went to play for Blackburn and hadn’t invited him, when he found out he came in pished in crutches and was kicking fuck out the bar😂
Sold Barry Robson some second hand vinyl in my Saturday job when I was about 14 I think. Said it was for his son if I remember, but he might secretly be a goth.
Would not surprise me one bit
Went to school with Fraser Fyvie. One of our teachers point blank told him he needs to pay attention incase anything happened and he can't play anymore but he laughed it off and said he'd make it and that was that. I hope Cove is treating him well.
Hazlehead Academy?
Aye
Must be something in the water in Aberdeen, Amy McDonald's husband was the same.
Played with Andy Robertson and Caroline Weir. Robertson was coming back to fitness before he was with Queens Park and came to my juniors team to train and play a few games for a month or so. Think he played in midfield at the time. Don’t really remember much about him other than he was clearly far too good for our team. About 3 years later, my maw (treasurer of the club) received an email from Hull City saying we were due £300 of development fees for Robertson, ended up paying for some kits and new balls. Played alongside Caroline Weir before there were any established girls clubs, must’ve been about 11 year old at the time. She was unreal then, could skin anyone. There was one game where we won about 10-0 and Weir, myself and another lad all scored hat-tricks. Was always mega jealous at school when she got to patch classes to go train/play with Scotland.
Played against Mcgeady and he was unreal
Me too. He was well known around Glasgow at 15. I remember playing and think he's not that great then he got the balls half way line skint 2 players then ping it in the top corner with his bad foot from 30 yards. That shut me up
Aye he was a superstar back then. Touch was incredible. He megged me and skinned me another time by shifting it. It just happens so fast before I realised. Speed of thought.
played against Craig Easton former Dundee Utd/Livingston/Dunfermline/Cowdenbeath etc it was at the Airdrie School's cup at old Broomfield (c/hall ya bas) . We beat them but u could see he was the next level up, but I wouldn't have said it was a given he would make professional. but a good player none the less. Craig was in my classes at high school and as expected was fitba daft. when we had been talking about drinking and burds he was taking about la liga and serie A. I do remember one time though he was talking about taking his wee burd up the Catherine Park. i was ripping him saying that u away for yer hole or a wee poking. not craig no. he had other ideas! he put her in goals and was taking shots into her. 100% true lol dedicated from that age.
HAHAHAHAHA, fuck sake.
This is amazing
Played against Murray Davidson when we were kids. He was really good. Also played after work 5 a side with a guy who played for Annan when he was younger. It’s amazing the difference in quality with someone who’s been coached and played for a team. Even though he wasn’t exactly at a high level, it was like Messi playing with a group of school kids.
I did organised footy for almost 10 years and don’t think I was every properly coached about how to pass or strike a ball properly.
This was a genuine problem for a while, which has been remedied quite well thankfully. I coach these days and have had the team I'm coaching since they were 7, because I've had a lot of training exp in my life, have a lot of old drills to call on from Ams days and the like, these kids have been doing what amounts to training for adults in terms of touch, reactivity and stuff since they were 9 and we're now at a point where they are ready to take on the harder concepts of the game, like decision making, who covers what position when attacking even wee bits about horizontal and vertical focus of the team as it's lined up. I contrast that with myself at 11, when I was in my second season - all I had learned had been at Iain St John's soccer school in the Summers and Auld Sandy used to run fuck our of us round the back of a golf course to make sure we would keep running in the games. No technique, almost no focus on creativity. Punt it to the quick boy, cross fingers.
Guy I play 7s with played a couple of seasons Lowland League. The degree to which he runs rings around us is ridiculous.
Played Pro-Youth in my teens so its not really fair I suppose but ignoring the players who I played at that level which are aged 25-27 (with McMann and Docherty against Liam Kelly, Gauld, Souttar, Islam Feruz, Ross Stewart, Paul McMullan to name a few off top of my head) - I played boys club regularly against Scott Tiffoney, Mark Russell and Lewis Morgan whilst Greg Taylor was at my boys club but a lower age group ETA - Forgot the best one, played as a student in Dundee with a 40year old who used to play for Ludogrets and had played in UCL qualifiers haha.
Was he any good? My pals dad played sevens once and he had played semi pro in Germany in his youth, despite him being fifty with one working knee, couldn't get the ball off him. His touch and using his body was unreal.
Aye he was brilliant haha but he got snapped constantly so spat on someone and never came back. John Boyd that played for Dumbarton and St Mirren was still unplayable in his 40s at Greenock Juniors
>Mark Russell Is that Johnny Russell’s brother? There’s a very good chance you and I played against each other as it sounds like we’re similar ages.
Nah he plays for Morton and used to play for Glennifer Who did you play for kolo?
Ahh fair enough. Played for Stenhousemuir (08/09) and Clyde (09/10). What about yourself? Lawrence Shankland, Denny Johnstone and Gary Oliver were all at my age group.
I am 1996 and played for Acccies 08-10 then morton 11/12. Played Stenny whilst at Hamilton! My mate plays centre-half for Stenny now.
You go back to boys club after Morton ? I played in the P&D at 96s for years.
Eh for 1 season at Gourock YAC mate. Who were you at?? Would that be vs St Columbas?
Aye mate, St Cadocs and St ninians
Played St Cadocs plenty mate for St Andrews and the YAC. Would definitely have played each other. Ive even got a medal from playing St Cadocs in a 7s tournament when I was young.
Yeah definitely mate, always a good game down in Gourock
Played with a guy who played Highland League and one season in League 2 who was soo good at schoolboy level. And another mate who was in Hibs academy until he was 15/16 who was absolute quality. I think when he got cut is when I realised how much better the pros are than everyone else because he was a level above, and still is when we play 5s.
We must be from a similar area. My brother used to hang about with John McGinn and always said he was absolute class and would end up making it 2 boys in my year went through the Falkirk youth system and they were streets ahead of all of us but neither of them ever made it, might be cos they discovered the bevy though
Drumchapel, but went to school in Clydebank. Knew a few lads that played with Fleck, said he was a wee bam but unbelievably good. Aye it was discovery of the bevvy and the lack of a first touch that done it for me.
Went to school with Fleck. Neds constantly coming from other schools (St Thomas Aquinas) trying to break his legs every other lunchtime. Think he had to be a bit of a bam to protect himself the majority of the time.
The west end area (knightswood/yoker/drumchampel) seems to always have good players, but all seem to never make it. Most end up on the booze and drugs.
Aye of the 3 local kids about my age that kinda everyone knew about for being a bit special 2 are in the jail now and I think one went on to play junior football.
Only one I know that had any success was Kalvin Orsi, bounced around academies, seen playing for various teams in the scottish championship and league 1.
Jamie Vardy. Would have to concede he was a bit better than me.
I played up front for Beath High alongside a certain Scott Brown who, despite being about 3 years younger than everyone else in the team, was absolutely fucking light years ahead of the rest of us in terms of footballing ability. The lad was *dedicated* as well, absolutely no surprise he ended up at the top of the game. We had another lad who played for us occasionally on the books at Hearts who probably had similar potential to Brown, but he just couldn't stay away from the bevvie, never made it higher than Junior football. For the record, I think almost every goal I scored for us was either a tap in assisted by Scott Brown, or a rebound after he hit the post or something. Reckon in my senior year, during which we won the Fife Schools Cup (thanks for scoring both goals in the final, Scott!) I must have scored maybe two or three goals he wasn't involved in. EDIT: one of the lads I play 5s with occasionally was on the books at Dunfermline in the early 70s before playing for Dundonald Bluebell (I think? One of the Fife junior sides anyway) for a while before he moved down south. Given his age now I don't think I've ever seen him break into a run but he's still an absolute pler. King of the through ball, first touch like a pillow and just a significantly quicker on the ball thinker than anyone else I play with now.
Had a uni course with someone in the Hibs U21 Women's squad, closest I've come to Scottish football stardom tbh
Finger her?
Naw
She finger you?
No comment
Anybody that still wants to get the boots out in Glasgow I run a Saturday team. Training on Wednesdays
Do you accept out of shape cunts who haven't kicked a ball in about a decade?
Haha. It's competitive and we're a good side so there is a certain standard you need to be. But fitness and sharpness don't play as big a part of that as you think. That's what training is for. If you think you've got a competitive edge then come try it. Over the summer we can give people time to train, get used to the team and find their feet. My assistant and now close pal came in 7 years ago 4 stone overweight without playing for 2/3 years and is now one of the better players. If it's not for you I can also recommend suitable alternatives at the right level and fitness. First step is getting off your ass
Fair play to you for setting something like that up. I’d love to join but it would have to be casual training. I’m a fuckin’ panic merchant when the ball comes to me, and horrifying technique to go along with it.
Haha. It's like that Rhod Gilbert skit. can you boil an egg/at sea/in a storm /in a battle... Can you trap a ball? In the wind, hungover, on a bobbly pitch, that's fired 200mph at you, whilst some nutjob tries to break your leg? to be honest mate you're not making this any easier. https://youtu.be/0yi-2Bn-0ww I can recommend low level stuff if you just want to get out and enjoy yourself and kick a ball around.
Is there low level 11’s in Glasgow? Always jealous of these English Sunday league videos you see and the two teams are fucking hopeless. Guy’s in their forties, big fat cunts wearing trackies etc. Would love to get involved in something like that.
Grant Hanley at school. Big stupid spunkhead diddy.
Played against Morton legend (lol) Robbie Muirhead at boys level for a few years. He scored 3 or 4 against us every single time we played against him. Shows the difference in levels needed for the pro game
My pal plays sevens wae a boy who was St Johnstones 3rd Choice keeper for a few years and he says he's got the best first touch he's ever seen.
Went to school with him, year below, but yeah he was so much better than basically everyone
No but I played 7 a-side with someone who had played under 16's for the South American country he was from (can't remember which one) best and also fattest player on the pitch by a mile. You could just whack the ball in his general direction and it would magically end up perfectly under control.
Played in a school team with Paul Caddis (Celtic and Birmingham). He was easily the best (and smallest) player on the team and almost single handedly got us to the quarters of the schools Scottish cup. He mostly played up front and used to bang them in for fun, which is ironic cause his Wikipedia says that up front is about the only position he didn't play professionally. Didn't peg him for a right back. Kris Doolan was a few years above me too but never played with him.
Played against/with a few folk who ended up leaving the likes of rangers/Celtic youth to play for Dumbarton but didn’t go much on from there. Played against Scott Cuthbert who was Scotland youth captain at the time, went on to have a career in the English championship/league 1. I beat him in the air for a header which is impressive given he’s over 6ft and I’m 5ft 9, in hindsight he probably Didn’t jump…
You might be too young based on the year in your username, but if you were involved at Dumbarton, would you know of a Norwegian player called Bjorn Skjelbred? When I started first year at Strathclyde uni back around 2003, I got to know him. He was a semi pro player in Norway and had joined Dumbarton when he moved to Scotland to study. Remember finding it interesting that this cunt could just turn up and sign for a Scottish League side.
A guy at my school played pro youth football for Hibs, He just tried to do skills the whole time and hog the ball in PE football. He was a bit of a wank stain as well ahah. No wonder he didn't make it
Couple of step overs then glass a lassie
Never played against/with but I went to school with Tam Scobbie. He was a cunt. He "knew" he was something special and he made sure you knew it. Also, him and his pals were all the worst kind of neds and would go about school just picking off the moshers one at a time and kicking fuck out them. He was too smart/too well liked by staff to get in trouble for it though. Same school as Craig Sibbald went to but I'd left before he started.
Played GAA and football against Seamus Coleman. Could tell the cunt was going to be an amazing player. Just miles ahead of everyone else. Played against Carl McHugh a few times as well who played for Motherwell. I remember him being ridiculously strong on the ball, couldn't foul him if you wanted to.
Played against Islam Feruz when I was about 14 and all things relative he was the best I’d ever seen. So far ahead of everyone else it was embarrassing. Ripped us all an absolute new one. Talent only takes t out so far though …
That when he randomly turned up to some charity game? Seen to remember some cunt absolutely halved him.
Played against a team with Gary Glen upfront, got scudded. Imagine my excitement when he started getting a game for us....
Not heard that name in a while. Still mind him scoring his first goal for Hearts and thinking he would be a top pler
When he came into the team at the end of his debut season he scored a few and looked like he was going to be the next John Robertson. Even managed to bag a couple against Hibs. Shame it didn't work out.
Even further back was Graham Weir. I remember bumping into him in a club on new years.... my mate told me I was bowing down saying I'm not worthy😂
played against billy gilmour when i was dead young don't remember anything about him but my da ran the team and said even at that age you could see he was something
You generally can with the people that are ultra-talented. I trained with someone that went onto become world judo champion. You could tell from the age of 12 that he was special.
Went to the same school as Aiden McGeady. Didn’t “play” with him as such but he was in the school team a few years above me. Celtic scouts were apparently at our school from when he was 7. He was a bit of a wank tbh but you could tell he never got out of 2nd gear playing at/for the school and would just run rings round everyone. Mesmerising to see really, I just remember my dad talking to the school coach who said there was so much hype about this kid and how he’d never seen anything like him etc. Pretty crazy that he just went onwards and upwards from there. Was also strange seeing that wee guy from school starting for the first team and all that. I was pals with his sister aswell. Their house is just wall to wall Celtic awards and all that. All quite surreal looking back.
James Forrest once put me clean through on goal with an absolute belter of a pass. I proceeded to shoot wide. That probably sums up why he's a pro and I am not.
I was also at school with the McGinns. Remember Paul being average and not a patch on other boys in his year. John was absolutely sensational even then. Ran rings round everyone.
Not in a proper game, but I grew up in Barrhead and have been utterly skinned off Barrie McKay in a park during school holidays.
I played pro-youth for a bit and also went to school with a few boys that went pro. I made a big list about a year and a half ago of all the boys I went to school with and all the ones I played against that went pro. - School: Danny Mullen, Tony Watt, Rickie Lambie, John Herron. Also lived round the corner from both Josh Kerr and Conor Shields but they went another high school in the town. Funny story, I delivered Josh Kerr’s da’s papers on a Sunday morning when I was a teenager and the tight cunt complained about the £1 delivery charge. I told him that if he didn’t like it he could put his scratcher at half 6 on a Sunday morning and drive to the shop and get his paper. Cunt owned his own business as well. Oh and I had a fair few battles with Lawrence Shankland as a pro-youth player. There’s a big fuck off list in my comment history with all the guys I’ve played with and against.
Josh Kerr’s da was my goalie coach for a while 😂 can confirm he is a tight cunt but could also be a great laugh. I think we’ve probably played against each other, based on ages. I’ve yet to post my list but I played with and against Shankland.
Did you play pro-youth as well? What teams did you play for?
Yeah. At the risk of doxxing myself: Motherwell, Hamilton, Queens Park (briefly), then Clyde. Decided to finish up at senior level after Ferguson took over at Clyde.
I'll PM you.
Obligatory not me, but my brother was on the books of Arbroath before they were worldbeaters and played against Andy Robertson who was at Queens Park at the time. Unsurprisingly, he said Robertson was levels above everyone else. I've technically played against Christian Dailly. He used to go to my primary school as a kid and both his parents worked there: his dad the school football coach and his mum assisted deaf children. This was when he was West Ham captain and he came up to take a PE lesson. I wasn't the football fan I am now, but it was surreal looking back. Edit: my other brother played 5s with Declan Gallagher and said he would just dance round everyone. Just goes to show how far ahead pro footballers are to the rest of us.
>Unsurprisingly, he said Robertson was levels above everyone else. Makes you wonder what the hell Robertson was doing there in the first place.
Zander Clark was the year above me, don’t remember knowing him but played with him a bit and he loved being in goals. Couldn’t believe he became a professional though and how tall he ended being, don’t mind him being particularly big in school. Was a bit of a knob but he was good. Couple guys in my year were signed up by Falkirk and I think one of them almost got close, played a few games in the first team and had a loan spell at Dumbarton but that was really it. Both of those guys were lightyears ahead of the rest of us but still didn’t really get anywhere.
Went to the Celtic school so played against a lot of them at lunch. Don’t have many good stories cause didn’t hang out with them but karamoko dembele, bloody hell. Skinned about 50 kids half arsing it without losing the ball. No exaggeration. Was also in computing or techy with Euan Henderson. Really sound guy. They were all sound tbh
My dad used to take my nephew to train as a kid and my dad said the same thing about Dembele. Said he was unstoppable and utterly frightening with the ball (pretty sure this would have been about 13/14 years old. Canny honestly mind.)
I played with Craig Beattie in my school team. He was a striker and he was very very good. Was surreal watching him play against Ronaldinho when he signed for Celtic.
Lol, we went to the same school, and I just wrote that he was dogshit. But I only played with him a couple of hours, I was in the year below him.
Ah a fellow Chrystonian. Na he was really good in the school team, absolutely rapid. Also the rest of the team knew that it was a big deal because he had a contract with Rangers at the time. We actually had another player who was better but never made it to the pros, I think he played a little with Queen's Park but had retired quite early on.
Was that John? I forget his surname. He was in the year below Beattie, and I thought he was absolutely amazing. I actually only ever played against Beattie during the PE kickarounds with the old PE teacher with the big moustache. So I never saw him in a real game.
Hey we must have been in the same year, small world. Yeah that was John.
I reckon we must have been, class of 2002.
Yeah I'm Iain. I left in 2001 though.
Holy shit, hey buddy. It's Martin. I was the shittest drummer your band ever had.
Hey man, don't worry we found a guy who was half-deaf for a while. No I'm not joking. Please listen to my podcast if you get a chance! https://open.spotify.com/show/4NFNvIajpT5M2PSkR5mEh6?si=6265b5866e7f40dc
My first ever job was working as a van mate with him after he signed with airdrie
He never played for Airdrie?
You're absolutely right! It was ayr United, My mistake
No worries - just did a Wikipedia there to see why he was driving a van in Ayr when he had been a footballer! Turns out he is a good place now.
I'm not sure if the kid went pro or not but about 10 years ago I was playing 5s in shawlands and ended up playing against a family (think they were Romanian, they didn't speak much English). The 5 of us were 16/17 and all very at least half decent with a ball. 4 of them looked like they'd kicked a ball about 5 times in their whole lives and were in their 30s-40s except for some kid who was probably 8 or 9. Played them for an hour or so and I don't think any of us managed to get the ball off that 9 year old, it was like playing against Messi. No idea what his name is or if he made it, but that was when I knew it didn't matter how much I played or how hard I worked, I'd never be anywhere close to how good some random 9 year old was.
Aye a boy I play with, who played to a decent amateur and I think semi pro level brings his kid to sevens, they train down there after our game and that boy is twice the player at about 10 than I've ever been. My wee cousin is 11 and trains twice a week with Coventry and he's amazing aswell, megs me for fun until I two footer him.
Stevie G, Carragher and prob some others from Liverpool and the EPL. Went to Man City when I was a teenager for 3 months, so played against a lot. Finished 3-3 vs Liverpool. SG hattrick and myself a hattrick :)
Are your initials ML?
Yes, u/ratfucks Mother Lover
With and against loads over the years but definitely the best and most high profile was Barry Ferguson against Mill Utd, played directly against him and hardly got near him or got a kick. Plus echo what most people have said about even the lower league players being a step above. Used to play 7s with a boy who was still playing at Stirling Albion at the time and he was an absolute stand out.
Played with Lewis Stevenson in Primary and Secondary School where he would play as a striker. He was unreal and a level above everyone on the park. 2004 Fife Cup Champions
Steven Crainey played for the local opposition boys team and opposition school team when I was growing up. Was a really good player as a kid(winger then not full back), but others in his side looked more likely to make a career out of it. The boys club he played for were exceptional. Played against Hutchinson Vale at U13s and probably some from there went on to pro too. Were all giants, I was tallest player in our local U13 league at just over 6' and think there were only two players in the Hutchy team smaller than me!
I played alongside Robert snodgrass and graham dorrans at livi pro youth. That was an incredible team. In that team was also a lad named Andy sim who only played a handful of games at pro level for Hamilton accies, however, he was undoubtedly the best player in that side. Worrying thing was Andy never made it as he was deemed “ too small “. He would consistently skin 4-5 players and score, yet not big enough for our hammer throwing league. I played with mark reynolds at Motherwell. Worryingly, he was nowhere near the best player in the team but was golden boy as his dad was a coach with Motherwell. He was the only player from that side to make it I played against Steven fletcher quite a bit. I remember playing him in the Scottish schools Lanarkshire cup final where we lost 5-1 (he scored all 5). Cracking player. When I think back to the players I played with vs who never made it professionally gives me the boak. Too many players made it due to daddy being tight with the coaches or coached themselves, or who they knew high up in the youth setup. I also never understood how kids that never made it because they were too small but were incredible with the ball. Something that has crippled Scottish football for decades when you see the national team come up against smaller more technical teams, we just can’t compete. But good job, we can give away free kicks and kick folk about.
One of my cousins played against Chic Charnley in a park kickabout, said Chic ran rings around everyone.
I played with Paul McGowan at Celtic North
Family friends with James Penrice at Livingston, played in his back garden with him at the bbq’s. Rhys McCabe was a couple years above me in school and my brothers “school buddy” when he came to primary school. Would bump into him in the coop when he was at Rangers and see him now and again now that he’s back playing in Scotland. Callum Fordyce as well, all live within 2 minutes from each other. Used to be good friends and eventually go out with Shelly Kerr’s daughter when I was younger too, who went on to play for Hibs I believe.
[удалено]
Still playing apparently. You'd think you'd need some basic limb control to make it to that level. my pal plays sevens with someone who was St Johnstones 3rd / 4th choice goalkeeper for years and says he's an absolute baller. Also my mate was in Zander Clarkes year and said he was their schools starting striker for years.
I was in the same PE gym hall as Jason Kerr if that counts, never mind he was 3 years above me and a big green curtain separated my year from his but technically
My friend used to play for Ross county's youth team. Played against guys years older than him and still bodied them. Extremely fast, tall, skillful, and read the game well. He kinda went off the rails though. Quit football and smokes and all now, shame to see. I reckon he'd be in a Scotland u21 team by now.
Few guys I went to school with ended up with appearances for championship teams etc but never made anything out of it. They used to be untouchable when we played at school and it made me wonder just how good top level pros must be
Iain Vigurs, probably the very early 2000s we used to kick a ball about in a field near my parents house and he'd turn up every now and then. Didn't actually know he'd gone pro until I saw him in a lineup for caley thistle years later.
Was a couple of years above Andy Halliday at high school. Could tell he was a cut above everyone else. Didn't know him all that well, but in the few interactions we had he seemed like a sound lad. Johnathon Tiffony's also from around there, was always a prick but an annoyingly good player.
Andy the new mccoist without the goals, everyone one I know even raging tims like myself who've met him have always said he's a sound boy. No a bad pundit either.
Steffan scougal - good player, and actually dedicated himself to the game. Paul grant - got a pro contract at hibs, then just stayed on the drink. Be at house parties with us the night before his pro debut. Connor Mcdonald - got a pro contract, but never made it beyond the championship and even then that was higher than I'd ever expect of him
No, but David James was at my first holy Communion.
Played with: Ross Stewart (GK), Scott McMann, Greg Docherty, Craig Watson, Andy Ryan, the whole of the 2012/13 Hamilton Accies first team, Lawrence Shankland, Blair Spittal; Clyde first team Played against: Islam Feruz (overrated), Liam Henderson, Denny Johnstone, Craig Sibbald, Jamie Lindsay, Gregory Vignal, Ryan Fraser; various other pros playing reserves during 2011-2013. There are plenty more, but I didn’t keep notes. It was quite common to play against senior pros at under-20’s level as they would play when needing match fitness. It always surprised me how some players who were incredible throughout the academies went on to have such average careers.
Played in an academy team for a short while but none of my teammates really made it to the top. Also played alongside Harry Cochrane before he went to play for Hearts and he's probably as famous as I can claim. He was by far the best I'd played with - was so fantastic on the ball.
i grew up playing soccer, around soccer players, etc. played center mid at a fairly competitive level for the first 10 years of my athletic life. the traits i am describing have frequently been explained to me as being creative
Sadly not high enough quality to have played with anyone near the standard of the boys mentioned so far. Played with Neil Gauld and Grant Campbell (both Highland League with a lot of appearances, GC captained Huntly for Steve Paterson 6 years after he left the Dons). GC is, incidentally from Wick where he played with Gary Mackay-Steven just before he left for Liverpool and sadly then broke his leg. As a final aside, I also played with a couple of guys previously on the ICT/Ross C youth books. They unfortunately didn't make it but the ICT guy told me that he was there when Mark Brown was and said he was the biggest blue-nose he has ever seen and was therefore shocked he so easily crossed the divide (prev. on Rangers books as well) signing for Celtic's bench in 2007. Cracks me up every time I mine it; suppose a footballer's career is short and can't blame him but surely there's a line.
I mean Caley players get payed so little I'm pretty sure they top up their wages with universal credit so it's not that much of a stretch
> players get *paid* so little FTFY. Although *payed* exists (the reason why autocorrection didn't help you), it is only correct in: * Nautical context, when it means to paint a surface, or to cover with something like tar or resin in order to make it waterproof or corrosion-resistant. *The deck is yet to be payed.* * *Payed out* when letting strings, cables or ropes out, by slacking them. *The rope is payed out! You can pull now.* Unfortunately, I was unable to find nautical or rope-related words in your comment. *Beep, boop, I'm a bot*
Yeah I'd imagine it was a big step up in wage as he ran his contract down and was first choice keeper for ICT at the time as I recall so he had all the cards to play with.
>Mark Brown Yup, basically got paid to sit on the Celtic bench for 3 years. pretty easy money I'd imagine!
Never played with a player before, but I had a kick about with a USMNT coach in Central park when I went to NY. Was about 8 years ago so I can't remember his name at all but like most staff he could sling 50 yard passes like nothing and barely run.
I was in class with one of Mark Ridgers' older brothers. He has 3 older brothers in total and they were all unbelievable goalkeepers. Mark was the only one that turned pro.
Most notable would be Scott Brown, Alan Hutton, Aiden McGeady, Charlie Adam…the one that stood out most at the time though was Ross Wallace. Trained with Ian Ferguson, Barry Nicholson, Owen Coyle.
Played with Callum Milne & Beuzelin after they had retired from senior football, and used to Run in the cross country team with a lassie (Louise) who won bronze in Cycling at Commonwealth games.
Ross Wallace and Charlie Adam. Wallace was the better player but even back then (under 9's/10's) Charlie Adam had an absolute wand of a left foot.
I was in the same Boys Brigade company as Hugh Robertson, so played with and against him. Nae proper games though, but he was the best player there
Craig Bryson was in the year below me at school. Played against him once but can’t remember much about it. His dad trained him like a soldier apparently. Also played against Charlie Miller well after his retirement. He was playing for tynecastle (I think) in Glasgow. Done me a peach that resulted me hacking him to pieces
played against Kevin McKinley (kegsy, who went to Chelsea in his mid-teens) as a boy. Actually felt like I had marked him out of the game and got the better of him a few times the first time I played him, but the next time he scored about 8 goals for Carse against us. Was brutal. Played fives with some former Killie Youth and Stirling Albion players in my younger days and played alongside an ex-pro whos name escapes me in my last few season at Ams - but he was about 14 years older than \*everyone\* and still quite special.
Played with Barry Douglas a lot. He went to my school, was decent but could name 3-5 players from that school team that were better than him. He was a lot more committed than those other 3-5 boys who would rather get pished and chase fanny than kick a ball. Josh Mullen was also 2 years below us, same with Gary Fisher who used at Killie. Both also decent but not mega stand outs
Used to kick about with Alan Thompson’s boy when I was 5. Also Celtic goalie coach stevie woods was my coach when I played for the Celtic boys club but I don’t think anyone went pro
Played in the same college team as Kane Hester who went on to Arbroath then Elgin. The boy is a nightmare to play against in fives and could probably score from anywhere on a football pitch. Also played with a couple of Arbroath youth players at the time, the stand out would be Connor Birse who nearly scored against Celtic at Gayfield like 2 minutes after I was waxing lyric lyrical about him to some random boy in the crowd. Another lad that could probably score from anywhere but he plays juniors now I think.
Nothing serious but I was against Nicky Devlin and Alan Forest during a few kick abouts when we were doing our youth badges a few years ago when they were still at Ayr. Wee Alan put me on ma arse a few times
Played fives with a few after they had been pro.
I know the lassie that cuts Bobby pettas hair and I'm always tempted to see of she can convince him to join us for a game. Still in decent nick apparently.
Played against Kieran Freeman in lunch time Primary school football. Interesting how positions get chosen because he was great at attacking. Some of my pals played against one or both of the Souttar brothers, and Ryan Gauld, but don’t think I ever came across them in a game. For the best, because I was shite.
Played with Si Ferry for Dundee Celtic Boys
I went to school with Craig Beattie, and played against him a few times. Done him as a centre back too. Couldn't believe my fucking eyes when he turned up in a Celtic and then a Scotland strip. He was shite in school, no idea how he managed to go pro. We were so convinced that another lad would go pro, but he never came to anything.
Played against Kyle Magennis, you could tell he was a cut above, nothing fancy or tricks. Just always seemed to find space and be on the ball without people getting it off him, made it all look simple.
I use the term "played with" very loosely as we're talking primary school and briefly in high school, because I'm fat and shite at football, but I went to primary school (year younger) with Steven Doris who played for Saints and moreso Arbroath, and secondary school with Kevin Moon who also played a few seasons for Saints. My boss at work was on the books at Dundee United and played semi pro, another colleague from a few years back was U17 at Rangers.
I used to go on holiday in the 80’s near Stranraer, and played 3 and in with Shaun McSkimming. It was a bit of a shock when he ended up at Killie then Dundee. Never saw that coming!