Across the season Club Chaplain, Rev Grant Hamilton, speaks to members of the Sons squad about life on and off the park. Last week it was summer signing Scott Honeyman, and now it’s time for another July addition – midfielder Kai Kirkpatrick.
GH: You are a young man trying to get a foothold in the professional game Kai. How difficult has it been for you?
“I’d say it’s harder for anyone who hasn’t come through a full-time environment. Although I played for pro-youth teams, I never actually made the cut-off to get offered that contract in a full-time environment. It just meant that I had to come through a longer route via the Lowland League until I was signed by Kelty Hearts in League One.
“I’ve become aware as my career progresses that the exposure through television and social media can also really do a lot to get your name out there. If you are ambitious then you benefit from playing at the highest level you can. In the end though, even though it can be hard to get established, I do believe that hard work can take you a long way.”
GH: You might not have followed a traditional route but it’s great that you are here. I’m guessing you feel like you really belong?
“Definitely. I’m really enjoying being here and the staff, the other boys and everyone around the club has helped make it an easy transition. Ability wise, I’ve always backed myself but it was just a case of being given the right opportunity. Now I have the opportunity and the increased exposure, its up to me to show what I can do.”
GH: Was there ever a time when you wondered if you would get the opportunity?
“When I was younger, I was at Rangers for 6 or 7 years and then I went to Motherwell for 2 years, where I was released just as others were being offered professional contracts. That was probably the worst period in my football career and before the beginning of last season I was thinking about whether I should just try and get a regular full-time job instead of playing football. Football is what I’ve always really wanted to do and I just told myself that if I kept working hard then my ability would show through.”
GH: Where do you draw your support from in those difficult moments?
“My mum and my sister have travelled all over the country and to 2 other countries to watch me play. Whether it’s sunny, rainy or snowy they’ll be there watching me, as you’ve already seen. My grandad who passed away recently is probably the biggest reason I’m still in football. He wouldn’t be happy if I gave it up as he was always the one who got me playing and training when I was growing up. I want to succeed for my little boy and my girlfriend. She is in the house looking after the wee man so I can get to training and play so I have a responsibility to do my best for them while they are all supporting me.”
GH: I know things are still very raw in relation to your grandad but would you mind telling me any specific ways he helped you?
“My dad has never been a big football fan so my grandad would be the one who would kick a ball about with me. He always made me believe that I have ability. At one time he had cancer for four years and beat it but we never knew a thing about it until he told us he’d beaten it. During that whole time he carried on as normal and we’d have him in the garden kicking a ball about and insisting he didn’t go back in the house. Every night after school I’d head to his back garden and he’d have goals set up and a pitch made for us. He just did what he could to make things comfortable for others.”
GH: Sorry for the difficult question but I ask because I’m sure you know people who haven’t made it because they didn’t have that kind of support?
“Especially people who’ve been at a high level and have had to drop. I’ve seen guys get a real confidence knock from that and a lot of boys I’ve known, who had the ability to have a good career, just fell out of the game completely because they didn’t succeed at the top level and couldn’t cope with dropping down. I’m almost taking the opposite route so when I’ve fallen down I’ve started to trying to climb back up the way.”
GH: How do you manage to balance all your commitments?
“It’s difficult to be honest. I work in Tesco as well as playing football and it can be tiring. I don’t always get the best sleep with a one-year-old son in the house and another boy on the way later in the year. It is hard with all the travelling as well but it’s all worth it and my work are flexible with me. If I need to be at home because my wee boy is sick or not sleeping at night then I can be. At this stage I’m just committed to giving myself the best chance of making it in the game and I’ll do whatever needs to be done.”
GH: What ambitions do you have in football?
“I would love to be able to play full-time but I think the main thing is not to look back and have any regrets. I don’t want to look back and say I didn’t do something because it seemed too hard at the time. You can’t look back and change anything so you have to be the best you can be now, even if challenges are hard.”
GH: What are your hopes for the season with regards to the team?
“We are a good group of boys who believe in each other and if we carry that through the season then I do think that is achievable. You obviously don’t want to get carried away but I think that is a realistic aim.”