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First Touch continues to gain a growing reputation from boys’ club level through to senior pro-youth teams, for our approach and delivery to coaching and motivating players from the ages of 6 to 12. We have already established relationships with senior club coaches in order to maximise opportunities for our players, and welcome the chance to do so with anyone who may be interested in finding our more about us. A number of former and current players are linked to professional clubs, either having signed with them or currently training or trialing with them. We also recognise that some of our players – either by choice or otherwise – may play at boys club level and we aim to realise the potential of all of them to find their own level when they leave us.
We have captured below a gallery of some of our former and current players who have imparted their words of wisdom regarding their experiences with us:

Robbie is currently playing for Rangers under 15 team against other SPL teams. Highlights of his five years at Murray Park include trips abroad to represent Rangers in Portugal, Andorra, Italy and Germany and of course playing against the old rivals Celtic. Robbie plays in an attacking midfield role and acknowledges that the early touches he learnt while at First Touch have allowed him to be confident in his play at any level now or in the future.

Ross is presently playing centre half in his second season with Kilmarnock FC and is playing at Under 14’s level. Ross enjoys playing against all the SPL teams, especially the Old Firm, nothing better than playing against the best players. Ross says the basic skills (eg passing, receiving, possession and working both feet) he learned at First Touch allow him to play with lots of confidence in his own ability.

Mikey left in 2006 as First Touch Coaches’ Player of the Year after five years. The skills and confidence gained have prepared him to play centre midfield and captain of Morton for the last two seasons against many S.F.L squads. Mikey feels his enjoyment, confidence and progress are rooted in the technical awareness nurtured and encouraged by First Touch. His ambition is to continue his development and go as far as possible in the game.

Stephen is currently playing with Motherwell under 15’s and has been with the senior club for 3 years. Prior to that, he was with Aberdeen for 2 years. He trained with First Touch at the age of 8 and was there for 18 months. “During the time I was there the coaching I received was superb. I believe the skills and knowledge that I gained during my time there has benefited me greatly”.

Joel is presently in his second season with Kilmarnock FC and is playing at Under 14’s level. His favoured position is centre midfield, however he is equally comfortable in central defence. Highlights of his time with Kilmarnock include playing against both halves of the Old Firm and fitness training with the redoubtable Andy Black. In all weathers!
Joel acknowledges the influence First Touch played in his early development and greatly appreciates the dedication shown by the coaches.

Along with Ross Knight and Joel McGilp, Simon – a very popular winner of the 2005-06 Players’ Player of the Year Award - is in his second full season with Kilmarnock. Simon says…. “I was coached by some of the very best coaches, and give credit to John McClurg for a lot of my abilities and teaching me to play with both feet, direct a ball in my line of vision, and also in encouraging my self discipline with regards to fitness, health and nutrition”.

I am currently playing for Morton u’14s in a right midfield role, although I can play in several other positions. I believe that my ability to be versatile was instilled in me in the years I spent at First Touch. The coaching I received gave me the confidence in my own ability. My aim is to be on the scoreboard more often and my longer term ambition is to become a professional footballer.

Robbie is a player with Morton’s under 14’s team, where he plays at left back. Robbie says that his six years at First Touch gave him an excellent start and he hopes someday to end up playing in senior football.

In his first season with Kilmarnock at under 13 level, Cammy was First Touch’s Parents’ Player of the Year for season 2006-2007. The coaching he received at First Touch has helped him greatly to equip himself at a senior pro-youth level. Cammy says the coaching on positional awareness in particular has been a huge benefit. “I’d also say it is really important to work on your general fitness as the games just get faster and more physical. There is room for wee guys as long as you try hard”.

Currently in his first year with Kilmarnock at under 13 level, David’s grounding at First Touch is paying huge dividends for the senior club where he is their top goal scorer this season. “The coaching I got at First Touch in my last two years there is quite similar to what I do at Kilmarnock which helped me in the early days to settle in quickly. If you listen to your coaches it will help when you move on to other – maybe bigger and better – things!”

Lee is currently playing for Greenock Morton U14’s as a striker. Since he started training and playing with First Touch at the early age of six, his skills have improved steadily from year to year. Lee acknowledges that First Touch has given him skills to hopefully further his career in football.

Iain plays in a defensive role for Greenock Morton’s under 13 team with many of his former First Touch counterparts. He has continued to use the skills and knowledge gained during his time at First Touch and believes he was given a great grounding. “ I was encouraged to play football the way it should be played and shown how to develop certain techniques to win balls”. Iain hopes to push himself to see how far he can go in the game.

Conor will be playing for Belwest Foxes u14s ( first grade) this season. At the start of the year the boys play trial matches and are graded first divison, second etc. He continues to play up a year and likes his team. He is a holding midfielder who enjoys playing the one and two touch football he learned at First Touch.
Conor recently represented the Australian Capital Territory ( ACT ) at futsal in the Australian national championships.
Conor wishes everyone well at First Touch and advises everyone to listen to their coaches and learn their skills.

Lewis is in his final year with First Touch but is also in his third season at Murray Park and currently plays for the U’12 team against other SPL teams. He has also played against and beaten Arsenal, Bayern Munich, Lyon, Stuttgart and CSKA Moscow on trips abroad representing Rangers. Lewis plays a number of positions but prefers his left sided attacking midfield role which allows him to use all the drills and movements learnt at First Touch. Lewis is a dual footed player and acknowledges that is only down to the dedication of his coaches at Group 4 stage were he learnt to dedicate extra time to his weaker foot. Playing with the confidence he takes from his First Touch sessions, he hopes to develop even further and go as far as possible in the game.

I have been at First Touch for 6 years and I am now playing for Glasgow Rangers for the third season. The experience I have gained at first touch has been of great help to me when playing against other SLP clubs, it has given me a good insight to the game and in how to read it. It has also helped with passing, shooting and loads of technical skills and most importantly how to be a good team player and to always try and enjoy your self no matter the score and to always give 110% in training and in games. I would like to thank all the coaches that have been responsible in teaching me how to play football over the past six years.

Former Morton, Airdrie and Falkirk player Craig is now responsible for the co-ordination and strategic development of football throughout Inverclyde for children of school age. Reflecting on his 4 years at First Touch Craig said " Its been really satisfying for me. Not only have I learned a great deal about coaching through working with some of the best coaches in the area, it has been terrific to watch the boys develop from the earliest stages through to their last year with First Touch.
I’m delighted to have been a part of First Touch and look forward to hearing about their continued success".
Craig’s advice to young players is to "practice all the time, listen to your coaches and enjoy what you are doing."

Craig was born in Canada but grew up in Greenock. Following his professional career in both Scotland and Australia he took up a coaching role at First Touch which gave him a chance to start a new career direction. Craig was amazed at the skills the First Touch boys showed at such an early age and enjoyed seeing his coaching being put to practice in game play situations.
Craig is now a Canadian National B level coach, and has gained a growing reputation working in the Vancouver area, all started by his time at First Touch.