Roy McBain is 41 and is an MPS level two analyst at Xeretec, Greenwell Road, Aberdeen. We speak to him about his career so far.
SO WHEN YOU WERE A WEE BOY, WHAT WAS THE DREAM JOB FOR YOU?
I never really thought about football as a career but I loved it when I was little. I always had a ball and most of my spare time was spent playing with a ball.
WHERE DID YOU PLAY FOOTBALL?
I was just playing for my school and also Dyce Boys Club and then everything just went from here.
AT WHAT POINT DID YOU DECIDE FOOTBALL WOULD BECOME A CAREER?
Well, back then there was things called school boys forms. It meant that full-time clubs could sign you up before you left school. So I got signed when I was about 13/14. I signed school boy forms for Dundee United so that was really when I started to think that this could become a reality and as a job.
HOW DID YOU FEEL ABOUT IT?
I was delighted, absolutely delighted. At the time Dundee United had a really good reputation for youth teams and developing young players, so it was great.
DID YOU KNOW ANYONE ELSE THAT HAD BEEN SIGNED UP? YOU KNEW IT WAS A POSSIBILITY?
Now and again there would be rumours of there being a scout hiding in the bushes somewhere and he might be watching you or other players, so now and again it would crop up. They would put training sessions on at Aberdeen as well so I went along to them as well but they didn’t ask me to sign.
SO WHAT HAPPENED AFTER YOU WERE SIGNED? DID YOU FINISH SCHOOL?
Yeah, that’s what happened. The scout at the time was called Bruce Martin. He would come and watch me. And then there would be games in Dundee so we would travel down and play so Dundee people could watch you. But you still played with your school and your boys club.
THOSE TRIPS MUST HAVE BEEN THE FIRST TASTE OF THE LIFE OF A FOOTBALLER
It was quite exciting. You think of these untouchable, full-time footballers and you are in a bit of awe when you go down to these and the manager of the club would be there as well. It was Jim McLean at the time, so it was really good.
WHEN DID YOU FIRST PLAY AS A PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALLER?
I left Dyce Academy when I was 17 and spent three and a half years at Dundee United, then I signed for Dundee after that and I was only there for about a year. Then I signed for Ross County and then I was there for about three years as well. Then I signed for Inverness in 2000 and I was there for 11 years.
WHAT WERE THOSE FIRST FEW YEARS LIKE?
Signing to Dundee United meant I had to stay away from home and be put up in digs – but I just loved it. I just looked at it as an adventure and experience. I didn’t mind all the training because I just loved football.
DID YOU EVER HAVE ANY BAD INJURIES DURING YOUR CAREER?
Touch wood, I’ve had your normal aches and sprains but nothing major that’s kept me out long term.
IS A CAREER-ENDING INJURY SOMETHING YOU WORRIED ABOUT?
You can’t think about that kind of thing. If you do, it’s probably worse. You’ve just got to put it to the back of your mind and hope.
OVER YOUR CAREER, WHAT’S YOUR HIGHLIGHTS?
I’ve been fortunate enough to have a few of them. I think Ross County had just come from the Highland League in 1994 then they went into the full Scots league and we won the old Third Division in 1998.
Also when I was at Inverness we played in a couple of Scottish Cup semi-finals at Hampden. We also won the first division a couple of times and we also won the Bells Challenge Cup. And I’ve won the Highland League with Cove and the Highland League cup with them latterly as well.
WHAT IS IT LIKE PLAYING AT HAMPDEN? IS IT MORE INTIMIDATING THAN OTHER STADIUMS?
It’s brilliant. It’s got a stature and playing at Hampden is a great experience. It’s not as intimidating as the likes of Ibrox or Celtic Park.
HOW DID THE PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALLING DAYS COME TO AN END?
I knew it was coming, I was getting a bit older at the time so it’s pretty standard. I must have been about 37/38 so the reality of getting a full-time contract again… I was prepared for it.
SO IS THAT THE GENERAL FEELING, IT’S JUST ACCEPTED THAT LATE THIRTIES IS WHEN IT ENDS?
There are few and far between late thirties playing full time, I would imagine. It’s such a physically demanding game, probably more so now. You’ve got to be an athlete.
DID YOU EVER THINK YOU’D GIVE UP FOOTBALL ALL TOGETHER AT THAT POINT?
No, it crosses my mind now and again but when that time comes, I’m going to be pretty gutted. Playing is the best time so no, it’s never come into my mind. As long as I am fit and healthy, I’ll keep going until my teammates start saying you old yin, you need to chuck it. Until then, I’ll keep playing.
SO NOW YOU WORK AT XERETEC. HOW DID THAT COME ABOUT?
John Sheran,who owns the company, was the manager of Peterhead at the time and he wanted to sign me. I tried to get a job off my own back but obviously being a footballer for so long, I had limited qualifications. I couldn’t even get an interview – it was really tough. He offered me a job in the scanning department so I just grabbed it.
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN THERE FOR NOW?
Five years in May.
WHAT DO YOU DO NOW?
I am an MPS level two analyst. The helpdesk are the first port of call for people who have problems with photocopiers and we support them. We offer remote assistance to resolve issues.
AND YOU PLAY FOR COVE RANGERS AS WELL. WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT YOUR CAREER LOOKING BACK AT IT?
I’ve been really fortunate to win things, play in some great games, travel the world. We ended up in Kuala Lumpur, Trinidad and Tobago and I was probably 18 at the time. I’ve got no regrets. It’s been brilliant – and it’s not finished yet.
AND THE FUTURE? IS THE PLAN TO JUST KEEP PLAYING AS LONG AS YOU CAN?
Yeah. I’m not sure I’ve got much longer, I’ll be 42 in November. Maybe when I’ve got a full head of grey hair I’ll retire.