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 keeper Shay Kelly, and now it’s the turn of another talented teenager making a name for himself in G82, attacker Scott Honeyman.
GH: At the time of this interview you have 5 goals and 5 assists in your first 9 starts. Is it fair to say you are ahead of where you hoped you might be at this stage?
SH: “Possibly a wee bit ahead. I didn’t expect 5 goals and 5 assists at this stage but I always knew that I was capable of it. I know I can finish well and that I am able to get into good areas on the pitch and part of my game has always been about getting goals and assists. At East Stirling I played 52 games and scored 12 goals with I think, 5 assists. At Alloa it was more difficult as I was coming off the bench and playing 10 minutes here and 10 minutes there but I always knew I had the capability to do well.”
GH: You pre-empted my next question a bit which is can you describe your journey so far in football? I know you are still a young man so feel free to start as young as you like.
SH: “I basically played boy’s club football for a local team until I was 15 years old before Falkirk decided to sign me. I played under 18’s for a year and was then sent on loan to East Stirling for the first time where I had a good season and played every game. On the back of that, Falkirk offered me my first full-time professional deal and then sent me back out on loan to East Stirling for a 2nd time. From there I went to Alloa before signing for Dumbarton this season.”
GH I guess that your aim originally was to play for Falkirk?
SH: “Yes, that was what I set out to do and I did manage to play three games for the first team, which wasn’t an easy thing to do. In hindsight I was probably unlucky that Falkirk were having an ‘invincible’ season in League One and opportunities to break into that team were limited. It was tough and the players in my position were really good, established players. I had hoped to break through when Falkirk were promoted to the Championship but I picked up an injury in pre-season that kept me out for a while and it became even tougher given how well Falkirk were playing in the Championship.”
GH: How do get through the disappointing times in your career? Where do you draw your support from?
SH: “The most disappointing time was last season. It was tough with the injury and because you are desperate to get back playing you risk rushing your recovery and coming back too soon. I ended up accepting that I wouldn’t play much in the Championship so I went on loan to Alloa where the lack of game time was also a bit disappointing.
“I think in the first instance that the best thing you can do in those moments is work even harder at training and give it your all. It’s a hard question but if you don’t start with hard work then situations aren’t likely to change. My family are also a great help to me and they have driven lots of miles to help my football career. I’m grateful for their support as most footballers have come across potentially great young players who didn’t make it because the support wasn’t there for them.”
GH: What kind of welcome have you had from the squad at Dumbarton?
SH: “Everyone has been really good. I knew Morgyn Neill from last season as we played together at Alloa and I knew Ollie Ecrepont from playing together at East Stirling but everyone else has been very welcoming and I’m enjoying it so far.”
GH: You came from full-time football so have you had to adjust your training regime now you are part-time?
SH: “I take part in the regular Tuesday and Thursday training sessions as well as the matches and I always go to the gym on Mondays and Wednesdays. I think it’s important to try and do a bit extra when you have the opportunity especially in the position I play. There is an expectation I will be fit enough to get up and down the park and cover a lot of ground.”
GH: Have you set yourself any personal goals for the season and can you talk about them?
SH: “I am someone who likes to set goals and if I reach them, I’m happy and if I don’t then I look to re-set something and make adjustments. I would be happy if I reached 10 goals to begin with but if I set myself targets for goals and assists it isn’t just for my benefit. I know if I achieve my goals then I’ll be helping the team at the same time.”
GH: What are your hopes for the season with regards to the team?
SH: “I think we have a really good team and a very strong squad. The players that aren’t playing are good enough to make a difference. At this stage though we just focus on doing our best in each game and seeing where it takes us by the end of the season.”
Chaplain’s Corner is available to read in every edition of our matchday programme, Sons View.