In this week's sit down interview, Chaplain Grant Hamilton speaks to young keeper, Jack Leighfield.

Jack you were born in Dumfries, talk me through the process of growing up in the area and then finally making your way into the first team squad of your local team.

I was playing for my local team in Moffat called Upper Annandale and I got picked for the regional Dumfries and Galloway team, first of all at under 13 level. I carried on playing for the regional squad all the way through school to 17/18 years old. Playing in the regionals brought me to the attention of coaches who were connected to Queens. They invited me in for a trial and Queens offered to sign me. I ended up training at Maxwellton High School straight after school every Tuesday and Thursday and then later we started training at Palmerston after the grass pitch had been removed. We would play matches on a Sunday; home games at Max High and away games all over the country in Perth or Glasgow or wherever.

When I was 16 going on 17 and James Fowler was the manager, I got my first chance to train up the road with the senior squad. Kenny Arthur was the goalie coach then and twice a week I would go up and train with Kenny, Jim Atkinson and Robbie Thomson. That was really good and it carried on when Gavin Skelton took over, as he had already been around as James Fowler’s assistant. I eventually started training full-time with the first team and even though I wasn’t involved on match days I used to travel with Kevin the kit man to every away game to help him with the kit. At home games I would join in the warm up then sit in the stand and watch the match. I always thought that being involved like that was a good way of showing intent, of showing a good interest and communicating the fact that I cared about the progress of the team and wanted to be part of it whether I was playing or not.

Do you think that helped? Did anyone notice or say anything to you?

I think they realised that I had a bit of ambition. I was getting to know the group and they were getting to know this young boy, who might not have got noticed otherwise. Because I was in and out of the dressing room I was closer to the first team than most boys my age would normally have been so I felt a bit more part of it as well.

For my first game on the bench, Jimbo (Atkinson) got injured before we played Linfield in the cup. Lee Robinson played the whole game and extra time and I was there as back up.

From there, Gavin Skelton left and there were some changes. Gary Naysmith eventually came in and he was a bit hot and cold with me at first. Sometimes I was up the road training and sometimes not. I just tried to work harder and harder in response and thankfully, I got offered another contract the following season. I came back for pre season and did really well. By that time, Alan Martin had come in and he and I got on really well together. Obviously, he has played at a high level and he was helping me all the time. I learned a lot from him.

He always told me he was a great coach but I never knew whether to believe him or not – laughs

Yes, he was really helpful and we are still really close and speak together regularly. He’s always willing to help me when he can.

Unfortunately for Aldo (Alan Martin) he did get a few injuries at Queens and Gary Naysmith gave me my chance in the first team. I had a few good runs in the team towards the end of season 2017/18 and managed to play around 20 games in the first team, which was great for my development.

We struggled a bit last season and I injured my ankle in the last game of the season, the first real injury I’ve had in my career. The new gaffer came in for the play offs and when he spoke to me at that time he told me he was happy to offer me another deal for this season. I came back for pre season in the summer and got injured again in the second day of pre season training. That wasn’t great and it’s been kind of stop / start so far this season but that’s the story so far.

That was very comprehensive! (laughs) I had a question in my head when you were talking about Alan Martin. For someone at your age and stage of career, what kind of help is actually useful?

For me, Aldo was good because I like being told if I’ve done something wrong. Even if I’ve made a save but I’m a wee bit out of position I’d rather be told if I should have saved it a few yards this way or that way. He’s the kind of person who could point these things out but not in a negative way. He was straight with me but always very positive. He knows what it was like to be a young goalie and to make regular mistakes and he could advise on practical things and the mental side of the game.

It’s good that you mention that Jack because we all know that everyone on the pitch makes mistakes but the goalie’s mistakes are often remembered for longer or highlighted more.

I think that’s natural because you are the last line of defence and there’s no-one to help you out when you make a mistake. You have to have a strong mentality and believe in your own ability. I have to believe that I wouldn’t be where I am now if other people didn’t see that I had ability. Mistakes do play on your mind but mentally, you have to just try and move on to the next ball and focus on that.

You’re a young guy Jack but can you tell me your best and moment in football so far?

For best moments I’m stuck between two. My debut against Brechin was a highlight. It was the first league game of the 2017/18 season and we managed to win 4-1. What probably tops it is Dundee United away last season when we were fighting down at the bottom and the team managed to beat them 2-1 up there. Having a good individual game myself was a bonus and having my family there watching made it even better.

Last season was the first time I heard anyone singing ‘He’s one of our own.’ Like Harry Kane but with Jackie Leighfield instead. Do you ever hear that?

I do hear it but at the time I have to block it out a bit and concentrate on the game.

Does it mean something to hear it?

It does mean a lot, especially as a younger player who has come through the age groups.

On that theme, what do Queens mean to you?

As a younger boy, Queens were my local team and I grew up watching them. From under 13 I was a ball-boy and watched every home game. I’ve worked the turnstiles and for years I’ve been a regular at Queens games. I’ve witnessed some special games in the league and cups and now I’m part of it directly in the first team squad. I feel like I’ve come a long way with Queens and they have been a big part of my life.  

Apart from someone like Alan Martin, who you already mentioned, who else has been a big influence on your career so far?

Ross Ballantyne, our current goalie coach, has been a great help. Coming through the ranks I was short on specific goalie training. I’ve never had a proper goalie coach except for the short time Kenny Arthur was around for those two days a week. Since Ross came in it has benefitted me so much having full-time goalie training every single day. Ross is a coach at Hearts and he has a lot of experience and has helped me a lot.

Also Robbie McCrorie when he was here, even though he is still young he’s an internationalist and a Rangers player and I could watch and learn from him. You can see that he is where he is because of how well he’s been doing. He has a bright future at Rangers and even just watching him or being able to ask him for advice was very helpful to me.

Having said that, my personal aim is to be playing competitive games where three points are on the line. I’m happy to learn but ultimately I want to be playing as well.  

I’m at training every week and it’s noticeable that the goalkeepers have a different training routine to the outfield players. Could you try and explain for the supporters reading this, how training for a goalkeeper is different to training for the rest of the squad?

It’s a lot more specific and individually tailored. The goalies start training earlier and warm up and do specific work together with the coach. We can think about who we might be playing against at the weekend and styles of play and practice specifically for those. We are able to work on unique goalkeeping skills. Outfield players spend a lot of time running during games and goalkeepers need to be ready to act when necessary. That means fitness wise that we need to work on short, sharp training drills and also spend time thinking about the mental side of the game and building concentration levels.      

So what is your football dream?

I’d love to go as far as I can as a footballer. I know I need to keep working hard and wait for someone to take a chance on me; whether that’s at Queens with the current gaffer or somewhere else in the future. I’d just like to see how far I can get and make it all the way.

I’m trying to bring a Chaplaincy focus into these interviews and we’ve covered some things about help and support. I get the impression from knowing you that your parents have been very helpful to you in your formation so far. A lot of players I have spoken to have said similar things…

I’ve had a lot of support from my mum and dad. My dad travelled everywhere when I was a young boy; whether home and away, playing or on the bench, he would still come and watch. I can remember being on the bench at a reserve game at Stranraer when Gavin Skelton was manager. I couldn’t drive back then so my dad drove me to Stranraer and drove me home afterwards. We didn’t get back until the early hours and the next day I had to train at Broadwood because Jim Atkinson was doing his recovery after the reserve game and my dad had to drive me to training early that morning. He always believed in me that I did have the ability to keep pushing on. He and my mum played a big part in helping me get where I am today, though my mum doesn’t come to many games as she’s scared to see me get hurt. In general, I have a really supportive family.

You have come a long way Jack and the improvement is there to see year on year. Hopefully when you reach Peter Shilton age you’ll be amazing.

Hopefully Grant, goalies do tend to be able to play for a bit longer than outfield players.

Well you’ve had a good career so far and I sincerely hope your best days are ahead of you.