Friday 4th June 2021
HE may be only 20, but Callum Erskine has already been through some of the toughest times football could throw at him.
As a teenage goalkeeper, he was down at Bury, looking to make his mark down south, having been a product of the Forth Valley Youth Academy in Scotland.
But the ultimate bombshell hit the Gigg Lane club in his second year there. It was 2019, and the Shakers were thrown out of the EFL after financial difficulties. Even now, the club does not play in any division.
Callum headed back north of the border, and after a season with Stenhousemuir, now hopes he can kick on at Dumbarton.
He was one of three signings to be unveiled by Sons today, and is delighted with the move.
Speaking to www.dumbartonfootballclub.com, Callum said: “I’m happy to come to Dumbarton, delighted.
“I was with Falkirk for a year and it was good to start out there, playing for the team I grew up supporting. It was good experience for me.
“I came up through the academy there. The goalkeeper coaches were good to me, and again when I came back when I was a bit older. I worked well with goalkeeper coach Derek Jackson.
“In between those, I was down at Bury for a couple of years. It was OK until they went out of business in my second year there.
“It wasn’t the best time; you really couldn’t tell what was happening, so it was good to get out when I did and come back up the road.”
After that, Callum got back into Scottish football with Stenhousemuir, and started the season as first choice keeper.
He played three games in their League Cup section, including a penalty shootout against Edinburgh City where he saved three spot kicks.
Now, as a Dumbarton player, he is ambitious for the season to come.
He added: “My time with Stenny started really well, but after a while I never really played.
“That wasn’t ideal for me but it was a good group of players. They maybe didn’t do as well as they hoped, but it was a good team.
“At Dumbarton I want to get minutes under my belt and play a few games. It’s a good level to play at and hopefully the team can do well and have a good season.”
Callum Erskine 04.06.21
Images copyright Andy Scott Photos 2021.
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Andy Galloway