I’LL BE SFA HEAD BOYD
Boyd wants to be SFA blazer after playing days
Scott Boyd wants to follow the road to Hampden – but not down the usual route.
The Kilmarnock defender has reached two finals at the national stadium and would love another cup journey before he hangs up his boots.
But the 32-year- old also fancies going up the steps at Hampden – and all the way to the sixth floor.
Boyd has recently completed his degree in sports management and his sights are set on an administrative role when his playing days are done.
He has watched new SFA chief executive Ian Maxwell make the move from player on the pitch to major player off it – and it’s a path he’d love to follow.
Boyd said: “Maxy is an example of the route I want to take.
“Whether it happens or not I don’t know – but my degree course was following that kind of path.
“More and more players are realising you need to plan for life after football.
“This is not the English Premier League. People don’t realise it’s different for us.
“I’ve done my coaching badges but I decided I wanted to take a different avenue.
“Most footbal lers go into coaching but I was fascinated by the business side of things. It has also given me an appreciation of all the work that goes on.
“What makes guys like Maxy and myself different is you tend to see people in these jobs who come from an academic background without having played the game.
“I’ve got both backgrounds so that was the idea for me.”
Boyd admits the realisation of a footballer’s short lifespan didn’t hit him overnight. But the births of his children brought into sharp focus his need to have an eye on the future.
He said: “Why did I do it? Kids, to be honest. I had my first child and realised I needed to provide for my family after football.
“That was what changed my thinking. I went from just thinking about myself to looking at the bigger picture.
“As a player you have a lot of free time.
“Instead of wasting my time watching box sets I focused all my energy on studying.
“I left school with no Highers so had to go back and do them before I was accepted for my degree course.
“It took a long time getting to where I wanted to be but it was worth all the hard work. It was a relief. To juggle studying, having two kids and moving club, it was hard trying to squeeze everything in.
“When I passed it was great to get a bit of my life back and it was so rewarding.
“I have been to two cup finals but graduating was up there with anything I’ve achieved on the pitch.”
Boyd might be measuring up for a suit for his future career but he’s not done with pulling on the Killie shirt just yet.
The Rugby Park club have supported his studies and he insisted the distraction of having homework has helped his game. Boyd said: “I am prepared for life after football so I can just enjoy playing now.
“Our chief executive Ki rst in Robertson has been excellent, really helpful and supportive.
“At times I was wondered if I could do both, especially when I was trying to get in the team.
“Now it’s done it’s just a case of enjoying my football.
“If anything, studying helped when I was out the team. When you are not playing you tend to dwell on things too much.
“When I was younger you’d come in on a Monday and you’d still be thinking about things if it was a good or a bad result or performance. It gets in your head. But between studying and having kids you don’t have time to worry! “It has helped my game if anything. “The club have been great with me, allowing me to come in and help out during my spare time. “I was able to get a real feel for what the club are all about. “It has opened my eyes to all the stuff that goes on behind the scenes. Mind you, I haven’t done so much recently as the gaffer Steve Clarke hasn’t given us much time off in pre-season.”