Interview conducted for the 2004 British American Football Almanac

What first attracted you to the sport? 

Like a lot of people in the UK, it was the glitz and glamour of the game as shown on Sunday nights on Channel 4 that caught my attention. It was new and dramatic and complex and intrigued people, and of course sparked a lot of interest in actually trying to play the game. I used to sit every Monday morning in double Maths and discuss the previous evenings games with classmates.

Who was the first team you played for? 

The Glasgow Lions looked after youth football in the local area on a Saturday afternoon. It wasn't for competitive play at that time - just for recreation and fun. It evolved to serious league play and became organised tackle football over the years. Since that Saturday in 1984 the game became my hobby and passion.

Who was the best British player you have faced?  

Over the years there have been many fantastic home-grown players who could have played on a higher stage. It is difficult to pinpoint one as every year there was another batch of highly talented players doing their best. Names like Allan Brown, Paul Bailey, Sean Airlie, Trevor Carthy and of course Victor Ebubedike stand out, but for me special mention has to go to Rowelle Blenman. After many years in the British game he went on to prove just how good and versatile a player he is in the pros playing both sides of the ball.

How does former Glasgow Lions QB Mike Hasskamp compare with NFL Europe QBs? 

He was a very talented QB - in fact he was ranked in the top 30 QB's that year in the whole US. Getting him here was a coup and he dragged us all up by our bootstraps as we had to learn a pro style offense (Run and Shoot) as run by a pro-quality QB. No doubts Mike could have played in NFL Europe. That's one of the beauties of our league is that it allows more football players a chance to do their thing in front of the people that matter.

How did you become to be selected for the Claymores? 

In 1994 the word came out that the World League was coming back - this time with a Scottish franchise and that it was going to be looking for Scottish players to go pro. It still seemed like a pipedream at the time and after a dodgy first try-out I felt I might have missed my chance. Mike Kenny had been named National coach of the team and I knew Mike from the Lions. He had faith in me and although my test scores might not have lit up the scoreboard he knew I could catch the ball. Subsequent try-outs in all manner of conditions in front of all manner of coaches improved my confidence. On Jan 7th 1995 the letter hit my doorstep announcing that I was one of the lucky 7 Scots to have made the squad. That was only the beginning as 5 of that original 7 didn't survive camp in Atlanta. I would say that keeping my head down and working my hump off to not disappoint by trying to get better everyday helped me stay on that slippery development path to where I am today. You can never rest on your laurels.

What is your most memorable moment in the sport? 

There are two single shining points, both similar but on very different stages. I caught the winning TD against the Birmingham Bulls in the early 90's to send us to to the British semi on a deep post. It was the first time we had ever beaten them and the feeling summed up what sport is all about. In 1997 I scored another winner, this time in front of 30,000 in the RheinStadion against the Fire. There was 17 seconds on the clock and I really felt like I had fulfilled all of my sporting ambitions right there...then I did the world's silliest TD dance to go and spoil it all!

What was your time like with the Chicago Bears in 1997? 

It was a great experience and makes for great memories. I felt a little swamped and intimidated by the pace of the Dublin visit and did not produce on the field. I was a little burned out after a long NFLE season and physically wasn't ready to compete at that level. I tried my best though and learned a lot. I count my blessings though and realise what a wonderful opportunity I was given and how blessed I was to be given the chance.

How did that feel to be playing again when you returned to play for the Claymores in 2002? 

In the autumn of 2002, I went to Frankfurt to see if I still had it. I felt very rusty and it took me a long time to get back up to speed - mentally as well as physically. I even felt that rustiness in my play during the 03 season. There is no replacement for the buzz of high level team sports. The Frankfurt mini-camp this year felt a lot more natural. There is a lot of talented young European athletes playing the game right now and the future is very bright.

What are you doing now? 

I am preparing for one more dance with pre-season conditioning, and speed and strength work. Most of my efforts are channelled into my work as Development Officer for American Football in Scotland. This involves introducing the sport of Flag football to as many kids as possible and catching their interest in this great game. I work closely with all levels of the amateur game in Britain and I am having a great time watching the sport grow again. The volunteers are doing sterling work from Flag all the way up and it shouldn't be too long before the game is in a healthy state again.

Who do you think will win NFLE in 2004? 

Obviously the Claymores! You have to believe in your coaching staff to put together a championship team each year. It will be exciting now that we have Coach Bicknell in place! But watch out for Berlin with our old coaches Margerum and Tomsula as Coordinators!

Who is the NFL team you support? 

Difficult to say. I grew up wearing 81 because of Art Monk and was a big Redskins fan. Over the past few years though I have more watched my Claymores teammates at their respective teams and hoped for them to do well. As a coach and player you also watch games a different way - from a more tactical perspective! Football is great no matter who is playing!