MARC MILLAR From North Wealth Management, and Senior Partner Practice of St. James's Place Wealth Management talks to Highlights PR's Keith Newman about his previous career as a professional footballer.
Were you a gifted footballer at school?
No, not really. It was a case when we when we were younger that we’d play in the back garden for fun. There was a lot of people at school that were certainly better than me and I’d call myself a late developer. How did you eventually get into the professional arena?
I’d say with a bit of luck. I was playing amateur football at a high level, and it just so happened that I got a call up for an amateur Scotland cap and someone came and watched me play. I then got a couple of trial games with a professional club and although they didn’t go well, I soon signed for Brechin City. It was surreal for a 21-year-old amateur to be playing against teams like Hearts. I was part time and still had to do my day job, so it was quite tough.
What was it like going full time with Dunfermline Athletic?
Yes, I’d played against them a few times and they are a massive club with a rich long history. I was signed for around £80,000 and it was a game changer for me. I trained more and my fitness improved immensely. Did you live the footballer’s lifestyle?
Our wages then were nowhere near what they are now. I viewed it as getting paid well for doing something I loved.
If I bring you up to date as someone who helps people with their finances, what message would you give to a professional footballer now about their investments?
Always invest in yourself as you don’t realise how quickly your career can end. I’d suggest they start pension planning for their future as a lot of footballers retire in their mid-thirties. There aren’t a huge lot of opportunities to manage or coach so your finances have to be planned in advance.
I guess that having a professional footballer on your books would be one of your ideal clients because as well as advising them on what to do with their money to protect them you could also talk about football issues?
Yes, I know what it’s like to be a footballer, the highs, the lows, how it feels to be injured, not being selected to play, or scrambling around for a contract. I’ve been there and come through it.
What is the highlight of your career?
There’s a couple of things, I think playing in the Premier League in Scotland and against such world class players was a real achievement and I scored a penalty that won us promotion from the First Division to the Premier League and that was quite special after a tough year.
You mentioned some of the world class players that you played against. I believe Paul Gascoigne was one of them?
I played against Paul Gascoigne a few times, not that I ever got the better of him. He was a superb player. There was a sheer difference in salaries at that level, but I never felt inferior, pressurised, or anxious before I went out. It was an absolute joy to play against those players home and away.
Now, a little birdy tells me that you feature on a Panini football collector card!
Yes, it was all part of the whole marketing of football. It was good to sign autographs and talk to fans.