PERS. INFORMATION

CLUB HISTORY

• Dundee United FC | Youth – 2006
• Arbroath FC | 2006 – 2009
• Carnoustie Panmure JFC | 2009 – 2010
• Brechin City FC | 2010 (loan)
• Montrose FC | 2010 – …
• Brechin Victoria FC | 2010 (loan)

INTERVIEW

Introduce yourself…

Terry Masson, 36 years old, part time footballer for Montrose FC. I have been at the club a number of years, recently singing a new deal that will take me into my 16th season. Away from football, I work as a Secondary school PE Teacher.

How important is football for you and your family?

Football is all I have known since I was a wee boy. I’ve dedicated my life to a Saturday at 3 o’clock but I still love it after all these years. I have 2 kids of my own now who come along and watch with my wife so I want them to still be able to see me playing and hopefully they will share the same interest.

Known for your tenacity and tackling prowess, how would you describe your evolution as a midfielder over the years?

Yeah I am a midfielder who enjoys the physical side of the game and I guess it is that style that has suited playing in the lower leagues in Scotland. I’d like to think I have improved technically as a player and mellowed with age but my disciplinary record might not reflect this.

How did your move to Dundee come about? Were there other clubs interested in you at that stage, or was it always going to be Dundee?

I was on the books of both Dundee FC and Dundee United as a youth. Both were within 20 miles of my hometown so it was just a case of picking which one I enjoyed most and felt I could progress through the ranks.

Even though you didn’t make a senior appearance for Dundee, how valuable was your time there in setting the foundation for the rest of your career?

Yeah, a great learning curve. I wasn’t able to quite break through at that level and like any young player was disappointed to be told I was being let go. Looking back I worked with some excellent coaches in the likes of Dave Bowman and Willie Pettigrew. My age group also had some players who have gone on to have great careers such as Kevin McDonald, Craig Forsyth and David Goodwillie so both clubs had a massive part to play in my development.

After starting at Dundee, your first move was to Arbroath in 2006. What influenced that decision, and how did it feel to leave a bigger club like Dundee for a smaller side so early in your career?

I did have thoughts about leaving the game or dropping down to play less competitively. However, Arbroath was my hometown so it was a pretty easy decision to take this next step. I was desperate to play for the first team from a young age and probably didn’t play as often as I’d have liked.

From 2009 until 2010 you played at Carnoustie Panmure JFC. How was your time there?

I was loaned out a few times and then offered to leave permanently to either Cove Rangers or Carnoustie. At the time I had a few ex team mates at Carnoustie so opted for there. Although I gained valuable games, I really didn’t enjoy it and motivated me to get back to a professional club.

You’ve been with Montrose since 2010, amassing over 465 appearances. What has kept you committed to the club for 15 seasons?

Yes, I have played 465 games now for Montrose. I have experienced many highs and lows in that time but I guess what has kept me there all these years is the team mates I have shared a dressing room with. It is a small community club where I have called home and the staff and fans have always made my family feel welcome.

Your recent ACL injury sidelined you for a significant period. Can you share insights into your rehabilitation journey and the challenges you faced?

Yeah it was a serious injury to sustain at 35 years old but I just didn’t feel ready to retire. It was the third knee surgery of my career so I knew the challenges I would have to face. The early stages of rehab were the hardest where you are very limited with what exercise you can physically do and have little or no involvement with your team mates. I was determined to get back as early as possible and managed to make the final play off game of the season after 5 months out.

As you approach the twilight of your playing career, have you considered transitioning into coaching or other roles within football?

I am signed for another season as a player but it is certainly something I have been beginning to consider. I gained my UEFA C licence last season and will start my B licence in June this year. I want to continue enjoying my last years as a player but hopefully when the time comes I am in a position with the relevant coaching badges and an opportunity comes up.