His son Braeden provided the inspiration – now Steven Lawless is looking to see whether he fancies a dip into coaching once he hangs up his boots.
The Motherwell youth academy product from Hamilton is now plying his trade in the Championship with Partick Thistle but the 31-year-old is looking towards a career path he started embarking upon long before his senior bow.
Prior to beginning his time at Motherwell as a professional, he went to college to do a course in sports coaching, and has now launched Lawless Premier Coaching.
Sessions are for children aged between 5-12 at 10 kids a session, and started on July 4 at Fives in his hometown.
He explained: “This has always been the plan. I had a year in-between leaving school and going full-time at Motherwell where I did a coaching course at college. It’s always been on the backburner.
“I think this will be a good thing for me to do and see if I enjoy it.
“My boy has just turned six so I have been watching him start his journey in football.
“That is what really gave me the nudge. Seeing him on a day-to-day basis, the amount of football I played when I was younger compared to him is night and day.
“That gave me the motivation to get this started so I can get him more hours training and playing football. I still feel fit and sharp.
“Last season during the runs, I was putting in personal bests. I still feel I have a lot left in me.”
After an uncertain close season, Lawless signed a two-year deal at Partick Thistle, where he played previously for six years between 2012-2018, and says his former gaffers can testify that the other side of football has always intrigued him.
Lawless added: “You always need to have an eye on your next move and venture. I don’t want to wait until I hang up my boots.
“I perhaps want to go into coaching and management further down the line so this is another string to my bow.
“I think if you asked most managers I’ve worked under they would say I have always been curious about this side of it.
“I have asked questions before about the training and their thoughts behind adding certain drills into training.
“That’s always been an interesting part of it for me.”
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