The Final Whistle.

There once was a Canadian boy that would dream the sweetest dreams a childhood could ever ask for. A dream that filled his mind with big hopes and ambitions, but little did he know these dreams were the foundation that built a burning desire inside of him. At the age of 24 I was given a chance to live my dream, a journey about the unknown but definitely an experience that nobody could ever look back on. On August 7th I arrived in the motherland of my parents, Scotland. A case with clothes, a bag full of kit and the hope of a chance all packed up. Preparing for the trip physically and mentally was a battle, but I knew deep down that was going to make me stronger for what was about to take place in the future cause it was only about to get harder. The first week in the country was the start of this battle with previous trial/ training arrangements cancelled due to unknown reasons? The following week however was a little more positive with sessions at Forfar and Cowdenbeath, which gave me a good insight on different professional environments. Little did I know on the 28th I'd be signing my first contract ever with Cowdenbeath F.C.

It was an interesting negotiation, an opportunity to showcase my talent for £30 per week obviously another income would be needed as well. The price was a bit embarrassing, but the chance of a lifetime was one of those priceless moments that rarely comes your way, especially for Canadians. The idea was to get in, gain some experience and if I did well maybe a possibility of moving up to a division 1 side was in the picture. The coach shook my hand after my signature was added to paper and said to me " Son, this handshake is my word." His word of promise that if I was good enough, he wouldn't stand in the way of my chance along with increasing my wages to help me get by. I was happy that I had managed to sign on in such a quick time frame and was looking forward to prove myself each opportunity I got.

When a player is new to a club without a previous reputation the other players are curious to see the talent of the new signing. My first chance came against Raith Rovers in the Fife cup where we ended up going into penalty kicks after a 1-1 score at the final whistle. I managed to make a save in the do or die moment for Raith that put them out of the cup. It was a good feeling to build some confidence off to carry me through until my next chance came. A little bit of time passed after this, with games in the reserve division and weekly training sessions and then it was already October. Middle of October to paint the picture, Cowden was visiting Arbroath that weekend. Our team was doing well and moving up the table each weekend. I found myself in my usual position on the bench, spectating the play, when all of a sudden in the second half our starting keeper takes a knock to the head after cutting of a near post cross. With a 1-0 lead to protect, my first SFL match was on its way! The atmosphere was good fun being by the Arbroath fans, hoping to see their team clinch an equalizer. This proved to be difficult from the spectacular defending by the players, which gave us the victory. The following week I found myself in goals again after an early morning phone call on match day. This weekend was a big match because we were playing Brechin who were sitting in second place. If we won, we would switch positions in the table. The game ended 0-0 what probably was one of the most boring games to watch from what i heard.

Well what happened? So far, its just been a tale about a Canadian boy and the chase after his dream. Every tale has a beginning, middle and end, as well as a bright side and a dark side. This is where the trouble began off the field. Our worlds economical state is no secret, many people scraping by on minimum wage and minimum hours or benefits. For myself a new country meant a new start, I knew I would face some challenges along the way and hard times, but I would do my best to get beyond them and survive. I was desperate to find a job, doing almost anything, at any wage. I found it difficult and empty as I had nothing to show for my attempts through phone calls, resumes and online applications. The clock was ticking, as I had to find something to help support me for weekly groceries and rent. I was living off my £30/ week wages at Cowdenbeath for my groceries and my cousin helped me out a lot by not charging me rent until I got settled in. The possibility of not being able to stay cause my income was so poor had become a great concern for me at this point. My practice boots had a massive rip in the side that just barely got me through sessions as they were ready to pop at any moment. I tried my best to keep my mind on what was happening on the field, but when I was down, the phone would ring.

Any time of day, no matter what day of the week, except Sunday...A magical man of Scotland would call me. Each time I hung up the phone after talking with him my spirits would lift as he re lit the desire and hope of what I was trying to achieve. His thoughts and hard work were the things that help push me to do my best as I didn't want to let him down. He became my only friend in Scotland during these lonely 3 months. A man who I only heard his voice, but never met eye to eye even once. His support, knowledge of the game and the way things worked behind closed doors were the things that made him so magical. However, there was a special characteristic about him that made him unique in his ways, which was his witty comments. I'll never forget when he told me that when I get my chance all I have to do is go out and play " super man for the day." A few times he'd mention he was 102 years old when he referred to his experience in the game of football. A man who has climbed the mountains of Scottish football, from the lower division right up to the topflight, he's truly seen it all. Without his support and friendship, I would have never even left Canada, just one of the many.

The last Thursday of every month is when players at Cowdenbeath have a smile on their face and not because it's the last session before our match day on Saturday, but because it's pay day. However 2 weeks later into November I still found myself asking for my wages from October. The club is aware of my struggles off the field, so why did this follow? The tension stressed me past my limit to the point where its effected my performance. For me when a player can't receive his £120 wage for the month, which the club made by selling pies at halftime, the situation has to be re evaluated and there is a possibility that the coach doesn't care. The most comforting thing is having a comfortable home with opportunity away from football back in Canada.

It began as an ambition that started by packing up my life and moving to another country. A standard was set, within a month I signed a professional contract in the lower divisions of Scotland. I saw things from a side of the game that the newspapers don't cover. The whole journey has been special with every save along the way. I just want to finish this off with saying thanks to the many people who supported me along the way. Especially my family, friends and to the readers who travelled with me through this story while it developed. Just promise me next time you close your eyes at night and have a dream, that you remember it might only be a finger tip away.

All the best and good luck to the Blue Brazil boys on the rest of their journey to promotion.



_______________
l Cameron McKay l


THE END

Match Fitness.

An empty stadium can be a beautiful thing with only the field staring back at you. When you look out into an open stadium you can only picture what the stadium atmosphere is like when its full. The flood lights shone bright lighting the whole stadium. A peaceful comfort through the warm up on this mildly cold damp night for a game. Dunfermlin's squad is put together of full time footballers who train Monday-Friday mixed with some of the 1st team players as well. Our side trains a couple nights a week, which also included a couple 1st team regulars to get some more match fitness in. It took our side a little longer to switch on in the first half a couple saves early on in the match kept the team in the game. At the half we found ourselves down 1-0. The boys lifted their heads after a good team talk in the change room to sort some things out. Not too long into the second half we equalized on a header crossed into the near post. At this point in the game the guys had more confidence and played at a better level. Dunfermlin found 3 more goals in the second half with 2 break aways and a cracker of a strike that dipped top corner, taken from outside the 18. At 4-1 the drive behind the team just wasn't there anymore. To be fair it could have been about 9 or 10-1, but that's what the reserve league is about, getting your match fitness and some practice in for the first team games if you can get your chance. This weekend the first team looks to continue down the road to success as we're on the road to Clyde.

Cowdenbeath 1-4 Dunfermlin (Reserve Match)

Derby Day

It's an experience that you love to be a part of whether it's in the stands or on the field. The classic hate for that one team, no matter who they play. Years of making history, wins, losses and mixed emotions from the results of each time you meet on the pitch. East Fife was in town this past weekend, sitting just 4 points below us. The league is still very tight and anyone can win on any given day. This was the biggest number of fan support I've seen at any game this season, which made the game more interesting. More importantly this weekend was another chance for my club to move up the table. Our game was played at 12pm instead of the usual 3pm due to a race car event on afterwards. The game got off to a quick start with the scoreline being 2-1 in favour of Cowdenbeath after a back and forth affair of goals within the first 20 minutes. After half time I didn't feel my team was going to lose. Near the end the other keeper was forced into making a couple good saves that locked up the 3 points for us. Later on in the afternoon Brechin tied and Sterling lost which placed us in 2nd place and moved 3 points out of 1st. In a few weeks time we will get another crack at the top of the table leaders and hopefully we will continue down the road of success to be number 1.

Cowdenbeath 2-1 East Fife