Grant has lived all of his 30 years in Edinburgh. He has a strong family mum, dad, brother and sister (and more!) who have always supported his football career. He is also very fortunate to have loads of good friends: gathered over the years from many sources – childhood, school, work, and obviously from his football connections.
Like many young boys Grant’s football interest started at an early stage – the ripe old age of 6. The family were all avid Heart’s supporters – great grandad, grandad, dad, brother – and that’s not to mention his sister – so he had plenty of encouragement from the word go! Throughout his twenty five years of kicking the ball around he’s always had a little army of friends and relatives to cheer him on – that is of course unless the game was on a cold, wet Tuesday night in January in Elgin or Stranraer.
Grant’s ‘first appearance’ was for The Captains Cabin Under 10’s. He had many happy times there. Twenty years on he still keeps in touch with some of his old childhood team mates. He also played for the Boys brigade and Gracemount Primary school. Sometimes he played for more than one team at once - difficult to say the least!
When he was offered a place with Heart’s in 1994 he naturally jumped at the chance – what 16 year old wouldn’t and it was at Gorgie Road Tynecastle that Grant developed many of his football skills – in particular cleaning the boots and getting the sandwiches for the older guys. The experience he gained there was invaluable, but it was at Shielfield Park that Grant honed and developed those skills to become a mainstay of the team.
In his 11 years at Berwick he has, in the Scottish Cup, played against most of the Premier League sides, including Celtic, Rangers, Hearts Aberdeen and Falkirk. In the game against Celtic (in the League Cup) which was played at Tynecastle, Grant faced Henrik Larrson, who scored his first goal for Celtic. Grant featured in Berwick sides that gained promotion from the 3rd to the 2nd Division on two occasions, but the highlight of his career would have to be in season 2006 – 2007 when, as captain, he led the team to promotion into the 2nd Division. For senior players, such as Grant, Gary Wood, Gary O’Connor, Robbie Horn and Ian Little, it was ‘mission impossible’ but they did it and it meant so much to all of them for the many years they all gave in commitment and loyalty to the game and the club – none more-so than Grant himself. During his 11 years at Berwick he has made countless friends, whose friendships will last a lifetime.
Personal profile
D.O.B. - 7 September 1977
Born - Edinburgh
Lives – Edinburgh
Nationality - Scottish
Height – 5.11
Weight – 12.00
Occupation – Joiner and part-time football player
Clubs
Position – defender