5 days ago
Tarbolton double act hailed for work in finding next Scots stars
Stuart Ferguson and Billy Alexander have been honoured for their work with the Scottish Schools' FA.
They're the double act tasked with talent spotting the next big thing in women's football.
But to the Ant and Dec of the Ayr United Football Academy, it's all for the love of the game.
Stuart Ferguson and Billy Alexander are practically inseperable as they travel the country in search of new stars.
The duo's work on behalf of the Scottish Schools FA is far reaching, and has now been been formally recognised by grateful Hampden bosses.
The pair have both received Volunteer of the Year awards for their coaching exploits.
Ferguson and Alexander admit their bond - the pair have been pals since they could walk the streets of Tarbolton together - makes their role an enjoyable one.
Alexander has been part of the overall AUFA furniture for more than a decade and famously quotes Ben Doak among his alumni.
"Don't get him started on that one!" raps Ferguson, who joined the Academy in later years and now plays a pivotal role in United's women's setup.
Outside of Somerset Park, the pair have been working together since 2018 on behalf of the Scottish Schools' FA to find and develop the best young women's players.
Billy, 40, said: "There's a total of six squads around the country, for which we take charge of the south-west.
"That involves holding trials, selecting a squad and then going to a tournament stage. From there an overall Scottish squad is selected.
"The likes of Erin Cuthbert have come through the system and it's really effective in finding talent."
Billy and Stuart are infamously known to be found in far flung locations watching trial games in a bid to unearth the next hidden gem.
And the pair have hailed their childhood friendship as the key to making their partnership work, which has now led to them bagging their awards.
Billy said: "We've known each other since nursery. Tarbolton is like Coronation Street - everybody knows everybody.
"It's one of those where we've been around each other since we could walk, pretty much.
"We even carried the Commonwealth baton through the village back in 2014. Plus Stuart is my taxi, so I always need to get on with him!"
Stuart, 39, who heads the United Women's Under 18s side, added: "I think it helps that we get on so well in and out of football.
"When it comes to making decisions on players and selecting squads, it's important to have that level of trust and understanding.
"There are definitely times we disagree on things and there's no doubt our job has become harder in that respect because the professionalism of the women's game is going through the roof.
"Trials can be a hard process - you're taking more than 100 girls and getting them down to a squad of 16 or 18. It's not an easy process."
Billy agreed: "The standard is improving all the time, which is great.
"And yeah, there's times when we don't necessarily agree but that's where compromise comes in and it helps with our background away from football.
"At the end of the day, we don't do these things for awards so it's nice to be recognised."
Jim Bettley, President of the Scottish Schools' FA, said: "These guys give up their own time to come and help people play at the highest level they can.
"Nothing has been too much trouble for them - they've excelled themselves in everything they do and are selfless. They are an example to everyone else.
"Their friendship comes across in what they do. You can see how they interact and they take that attitude on to the pitch with them. Fun is always at the heart of it."
