CALUM FERRIE hit the headlines for his heroic Scottish Cup showing for Queen’s Park against Rangers.
The self-confessed worst dresser in football reveals he was once told he’d never make it as a pro.
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Now he gets through 25 pairs of gloves a season while also studying for uni, feeding his Football Manager addiction and spending time with his partner Adele and black lab Ollie.
ADDICT. What can’t you get enough of?
Football Manager, although I don’t get as much time to play as I want. My missus Adele would leave me if I did! I was devastated when they postponed the release of this year’s version.
BETWEEN THE STICKS. How did you end up in goal?
I used to play a lot of football with my brother Gregor, who is five years older. I was always politely asked to go in goal. It meant when I first started playing for a team I would play half a game in goal and the other half outfield. But I got scouted first as a goalkeeper.
CAPTAIN FANTASTIC. How have you taken to being a skipper?
I’m enjoying the challenges and responsibilities it brings. I’m still relatively young at 26, so it’s a great opportunity at such a historic club.
DOGHOUSE. Can you tell us about your pet?
He’s a black labrador called Ollie. He’s a teenager at the minute so still has a great deal of energy! He is a big goofy idiot most of the time. I’ve always loved dogs.
EXFOLIATE. Who in football spends the longest in front of the mirror?
Cammy Kerr is right up there. He’s always making sure that hair of his is sorted.
FITS LIKE A GLOVE. How many pairs do you go through a season?
We train on Astro so I can burn through a lot! I would say somewhere between 25-30 pairs a season. I’m fortunate Glen Johnson and the team at PRO-GK are great and look after me.
GAFFER. Which manager has had the biggest impact on you?
Being a goalie, the most contact you have is with your goalie coach and I’ve been lucky that the ones I’ve worked with have been great. Dave Timmins at 17 was fantastic and showed me in a year how hard pro football is.
Bobby Geddes was amazing at Dundee and couldn’t have done more for me as I went from a kid to an adult moving away from home. Glen Johnson at Queen’s Park put a lot of trust in me and supported me as I became the No 1, and Michael McGovern has been invaluable.
HAMPDEN. Is it easy to take playing there for granted?
It does become normal, but I definitely don’t take it for granted. We are so fortunate to be given such great facilities, but for me it’s always exciting. Not many people get to play there. It’s important to remind yourself of that.
IBROX. What were your experiences like there?
It definitely is a special place for me. My pro debut in front of a big crowd was an incredibly proud moment. If I’d never played another minute that would have been enough. Everything beyond that has been a privilege and getting the opportunity to return years later and have a moment with the team at Queen’s as captain was something I’ll never forget.
JAPAN. What’s your favourite holiday destination?
I’m aiming to go to as many new places as the football schedule lets me. So far I’d say Italy, just for the food alone, let alone everything else. I loved visiting my brother Gregor in America and travelling around it, even if it was 47C!
KARAOKE. Can you sing?
Ask my mum and she’ll say I’ve got the voice of an angel, but in all honesty I can’t. My initiation song is always Escape (The Pina Colada Song) by Rupert Holmes.
LORRY DRIVER. What would you have done if you hadn’t made it in football?
Probably gone to uni. I always loved history and sport and the thought of becoming a teacher was always appealing. I’m glad football has worked out because it definitely isn’t a real job and it’s a privilege to be able to do it every day.
MIND MATTERS. Tell us about the uni course you’re doing.
I’m studying a Masters in Performance Psychology from Bangor University. For years I’d wanted to study some kind of sports psychology, but I hadn’t been able to find a suitable course. I always felt psychology is such a massive part of being a footballer. I’ve seen a lot of young lads with massive talents fall away because they can’t get the psychological part of their game right. It’s an area I might want to work in once I retire.
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NEW LOOK. Who has the worst dress sense in football?
The only fair answer I can give is myself. I mainly rely on Christmas and birthday presents to get new clothes. If there is ever a vote for worst-dressed the conversation is always who’s second because it’s assumed I’m top of the list.
ON THE SPOT. Do you have your own approach to facing penalties?
I go with a combination of the data and what my gut feels. As ever with pens, sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn’t.
POTTERIES. What was it like being shown the door by Stoke and Port Vale?
It was a really tricky time and I’ll never forget it. Stoke’s coaches told me at 11 or 12 that I’d never be a footballer. I was fortunate to spend some great years at Port Vale after that, then I wasn’t offered a pro contract by them. After sending out letters and emails to hundreds of clubs, Dundee offered me a trial and fortunately I impressed in a game and saved a pen against Brechin. Although I did get ripped for years for turning up in suit trousers, suit shoes and a shirt. I thought I might as well make myself stand out.
QUIVERING WRECK. What’s your most nerve-wracking experience? Applying for university. I’ve always felt comfortable in the football world, especially as I’ve got older, but that was so far outside my comfort zone it was very nerve-wracking.
ROMEO. Are you a romantic?
Definitely not and my missus will double that. I’ve not got a romantic bone in me.
Calum Ferrie factfile
Calum Ferrie
Position: Goalkeeper
Age: 26
Born: Shrewsbury
Clubs: Dundee, Stirling (loan), Falkirk (loan), Queen’s Park
Queen’s Park: (2021- now) 156 appearances/ 47 cleansheets
Dundee: (2016-2021) 6 appearances/ 1 cleansheet
Falkirk: (2020) (loan) 0 appearances/ 0 cleansheets
Stirling Albion: (2018-19) (loan) 28 appearances/ 8 cleansheets
SHROPSHIRE. How come you were born down there?
My dad worked for a dairy company, so my folks moved around a lot and ended up in Shropshire. I loved growing up in the area and being in the countryside. I was fortunate and I’ve still got friends down there, even though my parents have moved back to Scotland. I still follow Shrewsbury Town very closely.
TARTAN BLOOD. Which country would you play for?
Definitely Scotland. I loved growing up in Shropshire, but with my mum Morag and dad Jim being Scottish I’ve always felt Scottish. Having spent my entire adult life in Scotland I feel more Scottish for sure, despite the accent!
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UNDERWEAR ON THE FLOOR. Who has the worst habits in football? Charlie Fox has perfected the habit of arriving ten seconds before any deadline. I don’t know how he deals with the stress.
VESUVIUS. What’s the biggest dressing-room explosion you’ve seen? I’ve seen a few and I’ve probably taken part in a couple, but it’s part of the game, even if it happens less now than it used to!
WOW. Tell us something we don’t know about you.
I can do the splits. It’s a good party trick and handy in goal!
X-RATED What’s the worst challenge you’ve seen?
Watching Stoke v Arsenal as a kid when I was in the academy. City centre-back Ryan Shawcross tackled Aaron Ramsey and broke his leg.
YES YOU KAHN. Tell us why you idolised Bayern Munich keeper Oliver Kahn?
He was different, had crazy hair and played in a crazy way, but he had a desire to keep the ball out the net at whatever cost. I related to that as I used to have shoulder-length ginger hair and would throw myself around on any surface.
ZZZ. Whose patter sends you to sleep?
I’ve heard some bad patter throughout the years, but some of the worst has to be from Cammy Kerr. It’s absolutely terrible in a brilliant way and I love it.
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