PERS. INFORMATION

CLUB HISTORY

Club	Years
Hibernian FC	Youth – 2019
Livingston FC	2019 – 2021
East Stirlingshire FC	2019 – 2020 (on loan)
Dunbar United FC	2020 – 2021 (on loan)
Caledonian Braves FC	2021 – 2023
Cowdenbeath FC	2023 – 2024
Johnstone Burgh FC	2023 – 2024 (on loan)
Tranent FC	2024
Portadown FC	2024 – 2025
Dundela FC	2024 – 2025 (on loan)
Broxburn FC	2025
Edinburgh City FC	2025 –

INTERVIEW

Introduce yourself…

I’m Jack, hard working individual, had lots of ups and downs like most in football but I’m grateful as all have lead me to where I am now. I’m mostly known as a centre back for most my career however have recently been moved to striker and am absolutely loving it and playing the best football of my career.

How do you prepare for facing different types of attackers; e.g., pacey wingers, physical strikers, or teams that press high? What specific things do you work on?

As a centre back each week is different in terms of the types of strikers your up against. I think preparation is the most important thing as a defender in giving yourself the best opportunity to do your job come game day. I found reviewing video footage of the attackers I will be facing helped as it meant I could do my best to expose the attacker’s weaknesses and making it as awkward as possible to get in a rhythm.

Communication is key in defence. How do you build trust and understanding with your defensive partner and the rest of the back-line?

I have often found communication as being one of my strengths as a defender. As you mentioned it is key in order to have your teammates in the positions needed and to give everyone the best opportunity for success as a back line. One of the difficult parts of being a defender is building those relationships, sometimes they just click and others take time which can be hard as you need to get it right as quick as possible. I’ve always found having a good relationship with your partner builds a good foundation for the team and have been lucky enough to play alongside some top defenders over the years.

You came through the youth system at Hibernian. What were the key aspects of the club’s youth setup that helped shape you as a centre-back?

Growing up a Hibs fan it was an honour to have the opportunity to play for the club and to have that experience is something I’ll never forget. I found the key takeaways from the academy were more values and standards that you must hold yourself to in order to maintain at that level. I found throughout my time there I was constantly challenged on my game and whilst at the time I found it hard coming from a boys club background it’s something I’ve held with me and has really helped in the long run.

When you moved to Livingston, how different was the environment compared to Hibernian’s youth ranks? What adjustments did you have to make?

Livingston was a real eye-opener for me as this was the first time I had been moved to centre back and was essentially learning the position on the job. I found it very difficult to begin with but with mentors such as Marvin Bartley constantly helping with any questions and providing coaching where needed I found I started taking to the position quite quickly. In this time I was also given my first real taste in the professional game being loaned out to East Stirlingshire which really helped me develop and understand the game.

You spent time at Caledonian Braves: what motivated that move and what did you hope to gain from it?

Moving to the Braves was honestly the best thing I could have done. Working back in a fulltime environment with a top coach in Ricky Waddell really gave me both the opportunity and confidence that I needed to develop which I’ll always have great thanks for. At the time the team was full of boys in the same position as me just out of academy and looking to make their mark in the game and we really jelled quickly, honestly it’s one of the best changing rooms I’ve shared. I’m still really close with most of the boys today and loved my time at the club.

In the lower‐league environment, what did you learn about yourself as a player (and person) that you might not have learned at higher levels?

I think the biggest thing I learned quite quickly in football was to learn from your mistakes. At an academy level it’s easy to get away with mistakes but when it’s for 3pts and you’ve got people paying in to watch you each Saturday it really does add that extra pressure. Most importantly I wasn’t getting the opportunity or playing time at that level so knew myself I needed to get out and play so I could show what I’m capable of and more importantly love football again. Playing in the lowland league really helped shape my career and understanding myself as a player and how to get the best out of myself on and off the pitch.

Now that you’re at Edinburgh City FC, how do you draw on everything you’ve learned from Hibs, Livingston, Braves, Cowdenbeath, Tranent and loans to help you perform and lead?

I think over the course of my career I’ve picked up bits from each club I’ve been at and players I’ve played with over the years which has ultimately shaped me into who I am today. I think mostly, experience on the pitch has helped me the most and I’ve always found myself at my best when I’m confident. Most recently playing in Northern Ireland with Portadown and Dundela, whilst I found this period of my career really difficult at the time, looking back I’m glad for it as it not only really benefited my career on the pitch but helped me understand myself as a person more off the pitch and I’m definitely glad I took the risk going over there even if it didn’t work out how I had hoped.

Who have been the most influential coaches, teammates or mentors in your career to date — and why?

It was a bit out the blue really, we were doing some work during the week towards our first game of the season and the gaffer had pulled me before hand to tell me that I’ll be playing upfront. At first I was a bit taken a-back but once he’d explained all the qualities I have that would suit the position and how I could benefit the team, I felt confident I could do the job even if it was for a couple games. However, I’ve never looked back. I’ve played almost every minute up top and chipped in with 4 goals and a couple assists along the way and honestly I’m playing the best football of my career and that’s all down to the gaffer.

Finally, how do you see your role evolving at Edinburgh City — does the club’s style or your ambitions suggest you might take on further leadership or different responsibilities?

I usually don’t look to far down the line as that’s when you can end up getting a bit lost, I like to take it game by game and right now I’m absolutely loving life at Edinburgh City and thriving in my new role as a striker. It’s no secret we are a really ambitious group and there’s no ceiling in what we can achieve which we have showed so far this season but like I said I think it’s best to focus on each game as it comes and I always want to bring my best possible self to the table come a gameday to put 3pts on the board.