The Press and Journal (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)
US college games get Hamish on the right tracks for Locos
HFL: New signing praises Railwaymen’ s ambition to win trophies
Hamish Ritchie hopes his time spent playing in America will prepare him for life with Inverurie Locos.
The 22-year-old midfielder has joined the Railwaymen after four years in the USA playing for Hartwick College in New York and Seattle University.
Ritchie returned to the north-east in March, but how did the former Keith player end up stateside?
He said: “It happened through an agency and I knew (Peterhead goalkeeper) Lenny Wilson had gone through the same process so I spoke to him about it and he was raving about it.
“So I did it and I’ve never looked back really. With the agency you play games that are filmed and the coaches in America watch them.
“Lenny’s a year older than me and his coach saw me and liked me and then I asked Lenny about the school and I ended up going to Hartwick College for the first two years before moving on to Seattle University.”
The experience is one Ritchie loved and he says the standard of college and university football in America is better than many observers realise.
The Harlaw Park new boy added: “It was an unbelievable experience and it’s the best thing I’ve ever done.
“I don’t think people realise how good the standard is in college and university football in America, I think some people look down on it.
“But guys I’ve played with have played for the USA Under-20s team and signed with MLS sides like FC Dallas.
“A lot of players get picked out of college football into MLS teams so that shows how good a standard it is.
“I’ve played with and against a number of players who’ve gone professional since their college days.
“The facilities and the way you’re treated is great. Some of the games you’re playing in front of thousands.
“At Seattle our big rivals were Washington University and when we played them we’d be playing in front of 4,000.
“So that’s a great experience to play in front of a big crowd like that.”
It is not yet known when next season’s Highland League will begin, but when it does Ritchie is looking forward to the challenge of trying to help
Inverurie win trophies. He said: “Andy Low has been a big factor in me joining Locos, he’s been great with me when we’ve talked over the last couple of months.
“I want to compete for and win trophies with Locos and the way the club is run and with the ambition they have it seems perfect to me.
“Playing in the Highland League before I went to America I remember Locos were a decent team.
“But I think they’ve improved since then and they’re an ambitious and progressive club who I’m looking forward to playing for.”