From Barra to Greenock – young Morton footballer’s 320-mile training commute
● Football dream a step nearer thanks to Loganair’s help
It’s the first rung on the ladder to achieve the dream of a professional footballing career and one which every footballmad youngster aims for and covets.
But for ten-year-old Matthew Davidson, from Barra, in the Outer Hebrides, the opportunity of training with Greenock Morton FC’S under11s involves a far greater effort than most – a 320-mile roundtrip to join the club’s academy training sessions up to twice a week.
Matthew, a pupil at the island’s Castlebay primary school, was signed last December to begin playing in summer 2017.
However, his parents were paying around £200 for a return ticket for his mother to accompany him to Glasgow.
Then Ross Gourdie, head of the academy, who works as an engineer for Loganairat Glasgow airport, approached his employer to see if they could help out. The company now sponsor travel costs – taking off from Barra on the world’s only beach runway.
Matthew said: “After the trial, we went home and my dad got a text saying they wanted me to play for Morton. I was very excited but we had to think about how I would get there.
“Then it got sorted out. I enjoy the flight and usually stay awake. My mum and me stay with my uncle Michael in Govanhill when in Glasgow.
“I was a bit surprised at all the people which is different to Barra, but it’s good. But I do miss seeing my friends.”
Mr Gourdie said: “Matthew definitely has a lot of raw talent, standing out during the trial sessions.
“Matthew combines speed with an incredible control of the ball for a young lad of his age, really impressive when you consider he has just been playing school football.
“Geography is obviously a bit of an issue but we’re doing our best to help him train at home and he is still impressing us during matches every weekend.”
While his team-mates train up to three times a week, Matthew has been given a special regime to get on with while at home in the Western Isles.
It appears to be paying off, with the Celtic and Real Madrid fan having recently scored a hat-trick against St Mirren.
Warren Hawke, Greenock Morton chief executive, said: “In recent years we have seen a number of players, such as Rothesay’s Jim Mcalister and Dunoon’s Lewis Strapp, overcome geographic challenges to become professional footballers at Greenock Morton.
“None of those were quite on the same scale as young Matthew Davidson though, who travels all the way from Barra to train and turn out for our academy’s under-11s side.
“That exceptional commitment is admired and supported by everyone at the club, and we would like to thank Loganair for their generous and much-valued assistance in Matthew’s efforts to fulfil his dream of becoming a future Morton star.”
The team’s under-11s regularly play against professional academies across Scotland, competing on a weekly basis.
Dr Alasdair Allan, SNP MSP for Na h-eilean an Iar, said: “Athletes and sports teams from the Isles face significant geographic barriers in order to compete with their mainland peers. While the most obvious barrier is cost, it is something the Scottish Government and local authorities have been working to address for island athletes.
“Issues such as ferry timetables and joined up transport links on the mainland can also make a huge difference.
“I wish Matthew all the best at Greenock Morton. I’m sure he will do Barra proud.”
“After the trial my dad got a text saying they wanted me to play for Morton. I was very excited but we had to think of how I would get there”
MATTHEW DAVIDSON