Shining a spotlight on
Barrhead coaches use ex-players to inspire kids to reach for the stars
BOSSES at Barrhead Youth Football Club have been using social media to highlight the important role it has played in producing talented players.
Over the past half a century, the likes of Alex McLeish have honed their skills at the club before going on to enjoy hugely-successful careers as professional footballers.
Now fans can find out more about the impact the Barrhead club has had on the beautiful game, thanks to social media content that highlights 14 famous faces who were coached there as kids.
Established in the early 1970s and formerly known as Barrhead Boys Club, it has a proud history and a number of its former players are currently plying their trade in the professional ranks.
Paul Brogan, a committee member at the club, hopes youngsters who have enjoyed reading the Barrhead YFC Legends series online will be inspired to reach for the stars.
He said: “What we are really keen on doing is giving the young players something aspirational.
“We don’t only give them the best platform for them to go and perform and express themselves but also something that makes them go ‘wow, he played for Barrhead.’
“The posts on Facebook were done to inspire our younger players and get them to see that anyone can make it.
“It was also a message to say you are playing on the exact same grass these players played on.”
Former Aberdeen and Scotland defender McLeish is the most decorated player to have represented the Barrhead club over the decades.
Known as ‘Big Eck,’ he made nearly 700 appearances as a player for the Dons during his time at Pittodrie and won three Scottish Premier Division titles, as well as lifting the Scottish Cup five times and the Scottish League Cup twice.
He also made his mark on the continent by winning the 1983 European Cup Winners’ Cup and the European Super Cup.
Former Barrhead High pupil McLeish earned 77 caps for Scotland, including appearances at three World Cups, in 1982, 1986 and 1990.
After hanging up his boots, he went on to enjoy a successful career in management, including a stint in charge at Rangers between 2001 and 2006, as well as two spells as Scotland boss.
Earlier this month, Princess Anne presented him with an OBE during a ceremony at Windsor Castle.
McLeish’s former Aberdeen team-mate Peter Weir also played for the Barrhead club as a boy.
He signed his first professional contract with St Mirren in 1978 and joined the Dons three years later.
Weir made 237 appearances and scored 38 goals whilst at Pittodrie and was capped by Scotland on six occasions.
He won the league title twice and the Scottish Cup three times, as well as lining up alongside McLeish in that famous European Cup Winners’ Cup triumph over Real Madrid.
Weir went on to play for Leicester City before returning to St Mirren for a second spell and then moving to Ayr United.
It was also a message to say you are playing on the exact same grass these players played on