Jay puts pen to paper with Sons
Cambuslang boy makes dream come true
A Cambuslang teenager has described signing a pro-youth contract with Dumbarton Football Club as a ‘dream come true’.
Jay Robertson, 13, will play for the under 14 squad after completing a sixweek trial at The Sons.
The second year Cathkin High pupil played for Clyde School of Football since 2010 and was put forward for the SYFA ( Scottish Youth Football Association) regional trials in October last year.
After he was selected as part of a group of 20 hopefuls out of 180 youngsters, Jay played two games for the regional side before being spotted by Dumbarton scout, Alan McDevitt.
The youngster is hoping to follow in the footsteps of grandfather and former Rangers player David Robertson who was born in 1949.
Jay, a self confessed Rangers supporter, said: “I’m really pleased. It’s a step up from the boys club and they work us really hard. “It’s a dream come true. “I’ve learned a lot from my granddad and he’s really supportive.
“I would like to say a big thanks to Clyde School of Football for everything and to my mum and dad.”
Jay played in every position for Clyde apart from the goalkeeper, but has signed with The Sons as a centre back.
According to his mum, Emma Jane, Jay is doing well at school and has the ambition of becoming a professional footballer or a sports physiotherapist if he doesn’t make it at the top level.
Emma said: “He was on a six-week trial with Dumbarton that was extended due to the bad weather but he signed on Friday, April 1.
“Jay was seen by Allan at some of the games and he contacted his coach Stevie Morton about taking him on trial at Dumbarton.
“Now that he’s officially signed it’s great to see him succeed. We are really proud of him and he is obviously delighted.
“My father in law has had a few amateur caps for Scotland and used to play for St Mirren too so Jay really looks up to him.
“There has been a few good football related conversations between the two.
“It’s approaching the end of the season so there is not too many games left.
“Jay will try to establish himself in the under 15s squad next season.”
Dumbarton’s youth teams train at the club and in Erskine, Renfrewshire, twice a week and Jay hopes that The Sons will help with his aspirations to become a physiotherapist.
“He’s been training with Dumbarton since January and we are all pleased with how fast he has progressed,” Emma added.