Ethan Walker: Goals have changed for injured Ellon footballer
Ethan Walker was walking back to his accommodation in New York in 2023 when he was involved in a car crash.
The talented footballer suffered two brain injuries, a fractured skull, a lacerated lung and fractures of his pelvis, left hand, shoulder and right tibia.
There were also facial lacerations, nerve damage and ligament damage to his right knee.
As part of his recovery, his surgeon came up with the suggestion – which initially felt somewhat outlandish – that he cycle to Munich for Scotland's opening game at Euro 2024.
That became a reality and the story of Ethan's journey has since been showcased in the documentary Make it to Munich.
Almost a year on from the journey, Ethan is still adjusting to some of the changes forced upon him by the accident.
For the now 19-year-old, one of the biggest things he has had to come to terms with is that he won't be able to play football anymore.
That has forced him to shift his goals – and he is now putting all of his enthusiasm and effort into studying sports coaching and working as a lifeguard.
'When I went over to America, I wanted to pursue football to the highest level that I could,' he told The Press and Journal.
'In all honesty, I knew there was a chance after the first surgery that football may not be realistic for me.
'Now I want to focus on coaching and be as successful as possible in the game that I love.'
Before the accident, he had been thoroughly enjoying both studying and getting the chance to play with some top-quality players.
One way that Ethan has managed to fill the void left by not being able to play is by coaching.
He has also returned to Longside FC, the team he played for before making the move stateside.
Ethan is not allowed to be tackled or head the ball, but can still take a minor role in training.
'The training games are still manageable for me,' he said.
'I just drop in to central midfield and play passes from there.
'Even now I can still hit an amazing free kick and ping balls about!
'I suppose I'm a bit of a dead ball specialist, which is changed days from my time as a central defender.
'I'm loving coaching and it's been a successful first season for me, as we won promotion.'
Ethan is also making the right moves in his education
He is currently studying sports coaching at Nescol.
'Ultimately, I want to end up with a degree in coaching,' he said.
'I want to take this as far as I can.
'Whether that's getting to the highest level I can in football, or maybe PE teaching, I'm always looking to push myself.'
Despite the severity of his injuries, the teenager's life has returned to normality.
He's back working, studying and working out in the gym.
Ethan is full of praise for his family and loved ones, who have been 'a massive help throughout all of this'.
He lives in Auchangatt with his mum Jaclyn, dad Paul, and sister Sienna.
He said: 'I'm not sure I would be in the same position just now without them
'They've been really good to me.
'Thankfully everything has largely stayed the same.
'I'm working, studying, and in the gym.
'My goals may have shifted but I still feel as motivated as ever.'
It was quite a journey that took Ethan and his team to the Allianz Arena in Munich.
The teenager was joined by director Martyn Robertson, his surgeon Gordon Mackay, and Tartan Army member Stephen Collier.
Make it to Munich will be showcased at several premieres in the north of Scotland.
And some Scottish sporting greats will be in attendance at the events.
Dates and special guests include:
Ethan is looking forward to the events.
'I'm an Aberdeen fan, so it'll be really cool to see Andy Considine,' he said.
'But I can't wait to share the stage with them all.
'The Ellon one will be massive, as I'll have all my friends and family there.'
Ethan added: 'I knew the documentary would be good.
'But I didn't realise it would be quite as good as this.
'It's really interesting to experience the filming of everything and then seeing the final product.
'I couldn't be happier with how it turned out.
Despite Scotland losing 5-1 on the day, Ethan had a great time in Munich.
He said: 'Obviously the football wasn't a great result, but the response from the fans to me at Marienplatz and the general atmosphere on the day was unbelievable.'
Make it to Munich will be shown at select cinemas around Scotland and England.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Press and Journal
33 minutes ago
- Press and Journal
Inside the BAP Union: Peruvian vessel wows crowds at Aberdeen Tall Ships festival
With 49 Tall Ships berthed at the Port of Aberdeen for the Tall Ships, one of the most notable – and noticeable – is the BAP Union. It has travelled all the way from Peru in South America to get to the Granite City, about 7,500 nautical miles (8,630 miles). As well as being one of the biggest, it is also the newest Tall Ship at the event, having only been built in 2015. Owned by the Peruvian Navy, it is their first sail training ship and acts as a training vessel for officers and naval cadets. It has a total of 167 permanent crew members, as well as 90 trainees. The boat is also used as a 'sailing ambassador', promoting Peru in its various voyages around the world. Taking three years to build, BAP Union measures an impressive 46.26m, with its hull standing at 99.06m. Today – the second day of the Aberdeen leg of the 2025 Tall Ships Races – people queued in their numbers to get a glimpse of the impressive vessel. Unlike most other Tall Ships, it has its own museum, which showcases Peru. The exhibition has Peruvian art, the country's famed cotton and even a large fluffy alpaca, an animal native to the Latin American nation. And this impressed Kirsty Ogilvie, who was visiting the Tall Ships with her family. She said: 'It was nice to see a museum in there.' This was the first ship the Ogilvie family had visited today and Eliza added: 'It was really good.' Prior to coming to Aberdeen, the boat was moored for a week at West India Docks in London and is the largest of its kind in Latin America. One person here to take in its impressive scale was German tourist Angelika, who travelled with her work colleague from Baden-Wurttemberg to attend the event. 'I love it, it's very nice,' she told The Press and Journal. 'It's very well done,' she said of the ten-year-old vessel. And what about the Peruvian music that was being played on the BAP Union? 'There's a good atmosphere,' she declared. A four-masted Tall Ship, which is more than 115m in length, it is not just equipped for the captain, crew and tourists. It is also ready to welcome diplomats and political leaders from across the world. There are VIP state rooms and a chamber for special guests. And just like a 'city at sea', the boat also has its own dentist's cabin. Its doctor's cabin can be turned into an operating theatre. Neil Gordon, whose first Tall Ship of the day was BAP Union said it was a 'fantastic' experience. Although he did jokingly acknowledge that he went to the 'best first'. He added: 'I thought it was really good, there's lots of interesting stuff.' And where will Mr Gordon be going for his next holiday? 'We think we might now go to Peru.'
Press and Journal
6 hours ago
- Press and Journal
EXCLUSIVE: Aberdeen's Stuart Glennie - We see 'difference' in players from club's new youth football approach already
Aberdeen academy chief Stuart Glennie has told The Press and Journal why their decision to expose youth players to competitive men's football at a younger age is already making a difference. The Dons announced last month they were withdrawing from the Club Academy Scotland under-19 programme and focusing their attention on the SFA's new co-operation agreements with lower league clubs. The move has been made as the club shifts its focus from the traditional youth development by placing a greater emphasis on getting teenagers out to clubs and involved in the men's game as quickly as possible. The Dons have sent three players to Kelty Hearts and Elgin City respectively after entering into co-operation agreements, while others are on loan at Arbroath, Caley Thistle and Highland League clubs. Many of the Aberdeen youngsters were back together representing their parent club in the KDM Evolution Trophy game at Peterhead on Tuesday, fighting back from 2-0 down to level the game before eventually losing 4-2 to the League One side. Dons youth academy director Stuart Glennie believes the young players are already benefiting from the new approach. He said: 'I think what we've certainly seen, even with the guys that have been out on loan, the ones that have played a good amount of minutes, you can maybe see a wee bit of a difference. 'But we realise now we still need to look after those boys that are out and maybe haven't played as many minutes. 'They are still going to have to compete and push to get minutes at their clubs and play. 'But they're going to also train with experienced players on a week-in, week-out basis. 'That's going to help them through that as well. You can even see the positive impact that has had on some of the boys already. '(Centre-half) Lewis Carrol was excellent and gave everything. He was really tested and went down with cramp, but I think that reflects the shift he put in. 'It's not going to be easy, and we are asking a lot of these lads. 'It's going to be difficult along the way because some of these guys that we've got in prepare, some of them will be involved maybe with our clubs tomorrow. So, yes, it's what we're trying to work towards.' Youth coach Stuart Duff took charge of the Aberdeen B team for their first of six group stage games at Balmoor Stadium on Tuesday. Fifteen of the 18 players in the squad have been sent out to other clubs by Aberdeen with goalkeeper Rodrigo Vitols, right-back Dylan Lobban and substitute central defender Jay Henderson the only players still on Aberdeen's books. In Henderson's case, his age is the only reason he hasn't joined his older team-mates. Glennie said: 'Jay, who is a 15 year-old centre-back, would be out on loan as well if he wasn't too young to actually do that. 'But games like Tuesday are exactly what we want. It's going to be a real challenge for these guys over these next six games. 'If you look at the team which played Peterhead, we had two older players in Dylan Lobban and Alfie Stewart. 'But we had to make a sub early in the first half, which meant we played with a 15-year-old centre-back and we had 16-year-olds coming on at half-time. 'The majority of that team is 16 and 17-year-olds and that's what we want to see. 'The biggest thing for me is just how they've come out in the second half and how they've played. 'A couple of mistakes were made, but that's going to happen at that age. 'We just wanted the bravery to come out against an established, experienced League One club and it was pleasing to see the boys play the way they did especially in the second half.' Lobban, who turns 20 later this month, was named captain of the team while midfielder Stewart, who turned 19 two weeks ago, returned from his loan at Caley Thistle, to help his younger team-mates in the competition (fellow loanee Alfie Bavidge played and scored for ICT in the competition on Tuesday night). Lobban and Stewart, despite still being teenagers themselves, are expected to pass on the experience they have gained to the other players in the squad. Glennie said: 'Alfie and Dylan are slightly older ones and we are looking at them becoming leaders. 'I was talking to some of the senior management at half-time and we were talking about how the boys were quite quiet in the first half. 'We were saying that's what's going to improve. If they do that at their current clubs, they're going to have experienced seasoned pros not allowing them to do it a second and third time. 'On the pitch, maybe we're still young and not putting that demand on each other. 'We're obviously trying to put demands on them. We need to get that, and that's where Alfie and Dylan are good for that. 'It helps them with their leadership skills. They're obviously trying to push to the next stage and as Stuart said to them in there, this is about you guys, coming in and realising that these young boys are now coming in.'
The Herald Scotland
10 hours ago
- The Herald Scotland
Sir Gareth Southgate reflects on receiving PFA award that made him feel old
Speaking to the PA news agency at the presentation, Southgate said: 'It's lovely to be recognised by the players because the last 10 years in particular, how the players felt has been really important to me. 🏆 Sir Gareth Southgate is the 2025 PFA Merit Award winner. Gareth will be recognised at tonight's #PFAawards for his outstanding contributions to English football. — PFA (@PFA) August 19, 2025 'Getting an award like this makes you realise you're getting old but other than that everything's good.' Southgate has not worked in management since leaving the England job after Euro 2024, despite being linked with several potential roles. The 54-year-old said he had not closed the door on a return, but did not sound like a man in a hurry to get back into a dugout. 'I'm enjoying my life,' he said. 'I've got quite a lot on. I'm in the middle of writing a book, I've got several interests. 'I do work on leadership, helping some young coaches. But I've also got time to travel and play a bit of golf and a bit of paddle tennis. I'm very much enjoying that balance. 'You can't say never to anything because 15 years ago I left Middlesbrough and I wasn't sure I would manage then and I ended up on a strange path into managing the national team. But it's not something I'm actively looking at at the moment.' Sir Gareth Southgate led England to the final at consecutive European Championships in 2020 and 2024 (Owen Humphreys/PA A statement from the PFA announcing Southgate's award read: 'He is widely credited with breathing new life into the national team by integrating a new generation of young talent. 'He has overseen a period of unrivalled achievement by the men's national team, and has been an outstanding ambassador for the game – forging genuine connection between the country, the supporters, and the players.' Wrexham defender Conor Coady, part of Southgate's squad at Euro 2020, was also at Tuesday's awards and praised his former boss as 'an incredible man and incredible person'. 'I think what he's done for England and where he took England to was outstanding,' Coady told PA. 'As a person, I could speak about good people all day and he is one of them. 'What he's done for me individually, what he's done for the a team when I was part of the England setup was absolutely amazing. He fully deserves everything he gets.' Emma Hayes took Chelsea to five consecutive Women's Super League titles (Martin Rickett/PA) Hayes was honoured by the PFA for her contributions to women's football. As Chelsea manager, Hayes guided the Blues to seven Women's Super League titles – including five in succession – as well as winning the FA Cup five times and the League Cup twice. Hayes left Chelsea in the summer of 2024 to become head coach of the United States women's team, with her side going on to win gold at the Paris Olympics. 'Beyond on-pitch success, it is Hayes' approach to leadership and relentless innovation that has paved the way for progress in women's sport,' the PFA said.
