HISSING COUSINS
Proud Callum says it’s win at all costs as family values go out of the window when he and Rhys play together
CALLUM FORDYCE admits he’d be living out a childhood dream if he and cousin Rhys McCabe can lift silverware with Airdrie this afternoon.
The duo grew up in West Lothian together and, with just a month separating them in age, have been best buddies for a lifetime.
Now, at just 31, Diamonds player-manager McCabe and assistant Fordyce are 90 minutes from making history as the youngest bosses to win the SPFL Trust Trophy.
Airdrie take on Welsh champs TNS at Falkirk Stadium today.
And Fordyce, who also plays in defence, said: “The family will be proud. We grew up together. We only stayed maybe a hundred yards from each other.
“So we were close, always kicking a ball about. We would have dreamed of stuff like this when we were wee.
“We played at boys club level together then went our separate ways.
“Now we’ve managed to play with two or three clubs together as we’ve grown up.
“To go on the pitch together is a proud moment.
“We’re dead straight with each other though. As soon as you cross that white line you just want to win and everyone gets treated the same.
“It’s about winning games. We both want that. Everyone in the changing room does. It’s not focused only on us. We are all in the mindset that we go out to win every game.”
Fordyce won the trophy with Livingston in 2015 in a season when the Lions were docked five points due to a breach of tax rules.
He netted in a 4-0 win over Alloa and insists the glory drove Mark Burchill’s side on to beat relegation from the Championship on the final day.
He hopes a similar outcome in Falkirk this afternoon can help the Diamonds in their bid for promotion to the top flight.
He said: “At Livi we were at the other end of the table. We got deducted five points but went on a mad run, winning six of the last eight games, and stayed up on the final day.
“It gives you momentum and confidence to go on.
“It’s a huge motivation when you win a cup.
“There was a lot of pressure on us that season. Is it my favourite memory? I think so.
“There’s not many people who have played in cup finals, no matter the magnitude off the cup.
“There’s probably a wee bitt of added pressure on uss against a Welsh side becausee it’s a Scottish trophy.
“But we spoke last yearr going into the play-offs aboutt how pressure is a privilege.
“It’s 90 minutes of footballl with a good chance to win a cup and get a winners’ medal.””