I’ve still got Star quality
Mark Molloy has used his own heartbreak to have a big impact on the kids’ game around Lanarkshire.
And instead of feeling sorry for himself while former team-mates hit the big time he says he gets a kick out of them doing well.
After qualifying as a PE teacher, the 36-year-old’s football academy, Soccer Super Stars, is flourishing.
He said: “I was always interested in PE so I thought I’d get into it.
“I had to go back to college to get Highers then managed to get into Moray House and qualified.
“When I graduated I was really proud that day of what I’d achieved.
“Even my mum, who wasn’t the type of person to get emotional or give you a cuddle – she turned to me and gave me a big hug.
“The football academy came about through my son Louie. He was three and I was keen to get him into sport.
“I took him to a local football class but they closed for summer. My wife asked why I didn’t start up a wee class for him.
“I started off with a few kids and before I knew it we had over 250 kids attending the classes all over Lanarkshire.”
Molloy isn’t bitter about the injury that killed his career. Back then he was a Scotland team- mate of Darren Fletcher and competing against Aiden McGeady, John Kennedy and Shaun Maloney who have all enjoyed success in the game.
Molloy said: “I don’t lie in bed at night thinking what might have been.
“I really get a buzz out of watching guys I played with doing well.
“Guys like John, Darren, James McPake, Aiden, Craig Beattie, Shaun, Stephen McManus and the boys at Chelsea and Hibs have done brilliantly.”