I’ve never stuck to the script
Brighton assistant boss Billy Reid likes doing things differently.. from moving to Sweden to starring in Swan Lake and now turning his skills to film acting
Try telling Billy Reid he’s been typecast as a bitpart actor in Brighton’s climb towards the Premier League summit and he just laughs.
Landing the role as assistant boss at the Seagulls, as well as a new sideline as an actor, have required the kind of sliding-doors moments that he insists are all about good timing and delivery.
As Vindication Swim prepares to arrive at all good cinemas, the 58- year - old revealed his character as a landlord in acclaimed director Elliott Hasler’s new movie was such a success he’s being lined up for major billing in his next blockbuster. It’s the latest chapter in a life less ordinary for the former Clyde and Hamilton manager.
Each day star ts with a 20-minute drive from his home to the Brighton training ground for an 8am start, a continuation of f ive- and- a- half years in Sweden working alongside Graham Graha Potter during the fairytale fairyta rise of Ostersunds, then a season at Swansea before making the switch to the AAmex Stadium.
Reid Rei admits you couldn’t write the script.
He said: “I believe in beinbeing in the right place at ththe right time.
“WWherever I have gone I trtry to just be myself. PeoPeople can either take you or leave you.
“I’ve never felt there is muchmu point in trying to changech who and what you are and I have always stood by that.
“For some reason I received a letter from a fi lm producer asking if I wanted to take part in a film. I thought it was a wind-up and he must have wanted money off me or something.
“I met the director Elliot who’s behind the film and it’s been great fun. The film has been held back due to Covid disruption but it is coming out shortly.
“It’s a real top film and I would say I am a natural but some wouldn’t agree.
“I’ve never been shy that way, I’ve always been able to stand up and do my bit. Maybe that is the Glasgow lad coming out in me.
“Vindication Swim will be premiered soon then I’ll have a much, much bigger part in his next film – but you’ll just have to wait to see what my role is. I’m sworn to secrecy.”
Reid’s path to the higher reaches of the English Premier League after leaving Hamilton in 2013 has been well documented.
He said : “My tenure at Accies was fairly successful.
“But I felt my time in Scotland wasn’t what I wanted it to be at that stage in my career so decided to take another avenue.enue. Timing in football is a big thing,hing, Graham needed an assistantnt and the rest is history.
“It was low-levell second-tier football in Swedenn and he had only managed inn the league above that.
“Af ter a shortort time working with him I told people that this guy had high-level football thoughts. .
“It was the right time for me to try something else and I only wish I had done it ear l ier. I f you get an opportunity to goo abroad then it’s good to tryy it.
“I wish I had beenen given that chance earlier.” r.”
Reid may have caught the acting bug in Sweden when he performedmed in a version of the balletet Swan
Lake with Ostersunds. unds.
But he bel ievesves a parochial approach oach within the Scottish tish psyche is a trend that hat h o l d s ba c k the development of our ur game and he regrets s not looking beyond d the SPFL horizon.
He said: “What
aastonishednishedmewhenmewhen I arrived in Sweden wawas just how many of their native players move at a youyoung age to Germany, Italy, HHolland and a host of other EuropeanEu nations. “We ddon’t have that scope of horizhorizon in Scotland. It’s not the nnorm. We have good kids here but how many get the chanchance to go abroad? “MaybMaybe it’s starting to broadenbroaden, Jack Hendry’s in Belgium, Liam Henderson’s in Italy as is Aaron Hickey at Bologna. Ryan Gauld was in Portugal – but it’s only a small band comparedcom to a country like SwedeSweden.
“It’s a bit sad but why are we not nurturnurturing enough of our own young players?
“There are good young players in Scotland but not enough of tthem develop.
“In SwedeSweden the game is slower and more technical.tec In Scotland it’s not easy – it’s faster and there is less time oon the ball – but that doesn’t make for quality football in my opinioopinion.”
Despi Despite te eight years of managerial manageria gal l ivanting in Sweden Swedenandd and down south it hasn’t preventedprevented RReideid ff romrom maintaining his main home a few miles outside Glasgow.
The former Bully Wee boss insists he’s not attracted to being his own man again as he dovetails with Potter to guide Brighton at the top end of England’s top-flight.
He said: “Ambition doesn’t come into it.
“I have been a manager but Graham makes me feel part of it, I’m on the bench making decisions with him.
“I’ve found the transition from manager to assistant an easy one. I enjoy working with him and we have been pretty successful.
“Some people approach life always looking for something better but I really enjoy being a part of this group.
“In my opinion he’s a top Premier League manager – and he’s proving that to everyone.
“It’s remarkable how we’ve ended up in the Premier League and a club like Brighton who appear to be getting some plaudits on how we play.
“It’s a far cry from my time putting goals into a van at Clyde and trying to find some spare ground to train.”
Wherever I have gone I try to be myself .. people take or leave you .. I’ve never been shy