BIG-NAME BACKING FOR BOYS CLUB BID TO HELP YOUNGSTERS
McLeish among those praising volunteer efforts to give teenage men a space to share issues
THEY have helped nurture generations of the city’s football talent and boast a glittering honour roll of former stars. Now, volunteers from Hillwood Boys Club are on a mission to offer a safe space for teenagers to speak out during difficult times.
The Pollock-based team have unveiled plans to open their Hillwood Park home for free to youngsters once a week to meet with pals and hone their skills.
It comes shortly after a number of teenagers sadly took their own life in the area during the Covid-19 lockdown.
Hillwood coach Brian Hay is leading the project and is determined the club does its bit to help.
Brian, 45, said: “We decided the kids needed something and somewhere. They need to be able to talk to someone.
“We want to get them talking and moving and many kids don’t really get the exercise they need.
“They’ll be able to come and talk to any of us one-on-one or we can talk in the larger group.
“We know there is a of unemployment in and some children do opportunities.
“Football shouldn’t be an high our not rate area have
elitist sport and everyone should be able to take part in it.
“In my head, we’ll do the sessions but also have some guests come and speak to the kids and share their experiences.
“I’ve already been speaking to the likes of Gary Faulds, who is very supportive of what we’re doing.”
He added: “The hope now is when things open up [post-lockdown] and we get the go-ahead to begin we can start the sessions up on a Sunday night for 14 to 18-year-olds.”
Brian has already begun to work with a number of Glasgow-based charities, including footballer Aaron Connolly’s Time to Tackle.
The St Roch’s player has spoken openly about his own attempted suicide and has used his story to inspire others.
Hillwood BC, formed in 1966 by Willie Smith, has a long history of supporting grassroots football and the local community.
Former Rangers and Scotland manager Alex McLeish is among the club’s illustrious list of ex-pros that also includes Kenny Burns, Owen Coyle, Ross McCormack, and Peter MacDonald.
McLeish, who is a lifelong friend of Willie and was inducted into Hillwood’s Hall of Fame last year, has thrown his weight behind the “magnificent” plan.
The 61-year-old said: “When I go back to my school days and my boys club days the big thing for Willie was to get boys from different schools together and playing.
“It didn’t matter whether you were Catholic or Protestant, it was all together. He’s a pioneer of youth football.
“A lot of boys who have played with Hillwood over the years have gone on to achieve so much, but even those who didn’t realised the value of life.
“He’s made sure there’s a space for everyone and he’s never lost sight of that. I have so much admiration for him to have dedicated his life to helping others.
“In my days, mental health issues were never something that was evident but that’s changed.