A young West Lothian man has followed in his father's footsteps by becoming a successful amateur football coach - 10 years after his dad passed away from a bleed on the brain.
Greg Lloyd, from East Calder, lost his father John when they were playing five-a-side together when he was only 15. His dad began to feel ill and decided to go in goal before he suddenly collapsed.
He was later taken to hospital where he suffered another bleed on the brain and was put on life support. Greg says that the family had to take the heartbreaking decision to switch off life support after his dad was left in a vegetative state.
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Greg was coached by his father for ten years and the duo also both coached Pumpherston United youth teams in their local community. But following the death of his father, Greg decided to take a step back from coaching youngsters as his emotions were too raw.
But the talented footballer made a return to coaching at the age 21 after he suffered a number of injuries that limited his ability to play. He gathered a group of his pals, and some players from the local area, and set up a team who were at first based at East Calder and then Oakbank before they found their current home in the village of Kirknewton.
“We were playing fives together with his mates and he started to feel unwell so he went in goal before he just collapsed,” Greg said.
“He wasn’t well when we got to hospital and he suffered another bleed on the brain. He was put on life support but was in a vegetative state that was not good for anyone.
“He coached me from about the age of five or six until I was 15 or 16 but he continued on after I left his team at Pumpherston. I would coach the younger lads when I was 15 but I had to step away when he passed as I found it too traumatic.
“Football was a massive part of our life. We would sometimes go through to watch Rangers but our priority was being involved in the game locally.
“We would sometimes go and watch the juniors or amateurs just to get out and about but we both believed the time to get a season ticket is when you are in your 50s and unable to commit to playing or coaching.
“He actually passed away on his wedding anniversary in 2015. It was a really difficult time but I think we have come out of it stronger as a family.”
Greg has kept the family connection going within his current role. With both his younger brother and his older cousin being star players for his club Kirknewton CFC.
Greg coached his younger brother at Livingston under-19s when he made his return to training youngsters but he felt that the time was right to go off and try it his way.
He says that he would not necessarily put his desire to coach down to his father but that there was always a close bond through their love of football.
The manufacturer technician has gone from strength to strength since he began to implement his vision within the amateur game. Kirknewton CFC have not only tasted success on the pitch but they have also instilled a sense of pride in a village that went without a team for over a decade.
Kirknewton secured promotion from the regional Sunday Morning Division One into the Championship and also won the League Cup and LEAFA’s Sunday League Edinburgh Cup.
“We have a very diverse team that we are all really proud of with guys I went to school with as well as Gambians and Polish lads from the local area,” the young gaffer said.
“There has not been a team in Kirknewton for 10 to 15 years. The support we get from the local village is absolutely phenomenal and we have only been here for one year.
“A lot of locals help look after our pitch and we are really involved in the community. We go to the pub after every game, they buy the pies from the local shop and there is a nice circular economy connected to the team.
“If the weather is nice we can have up to 80 people at a league game that means absolutely nothing midweek. The youngsters come out and act as our mini ultras creating a really positive atmosphere.
“We have had locals donating hundreds of pounds to support the club and at the cup finals there were hundreds of supporters backing us. It is nice because we have worked hard to repay them and make them feel a sense of pride in the club.
“My younger brother Brian, 21, plays for us and to be honest he is a joy. He does exactly what he is told and listens really well.
“He is quiet but he leads by example on the pitch. My cousin James Johnston, 27, is also our top goalscorer so it is nice to have that family connection.
“I’ve not done this by myself and have had the experience of John and Bernie Wilson beside me helping to coach the team. I’ve had a lot of support from my dad’s pals since he passed which has meant a lot as well.
“It has been an absolute pleasure working with all the lads this year. Hopefully we can continue with the same squad next year and continue to give back to Kirknewton.”
You can follow the team from their Facebook page here.
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