Despite the result against Croatia on Tuesday night, Scotland has enjoyed a summer of football fever - with the men’s team competing in their first major tournament finals since 1998. Our Langside Campus is only a free kick away from Hampden - the oldest international football stadium in the world - so we have been right in the thick of the action. But this is not the only link we have to the beautiful game...

This month our member of staff David McGurn takes up his newly promoted post as Curriculum Manager for Sports Coaching.  No stranger to the world of football, David has also doubled as a goalkeeper for Scottish sides Greenock Morton, Raith Rovers and Cowdenbeath - racking up over 360 professional appearances.  Most recently, he has worked with Raith Rovers Football Club as their Goalkeeping coach. 

David used to spend his days off lecturing part-time at the college, but when a permanent position became available, he knew he had to take it due to his love for teaching the future generation. This role allows him to pass on his show-stopping skills, giving his students an insight into the many avenues in the world of work - whether it be as a coach, as a development officer, a fitness instructor or a personal trainer.

Scotland legend Sir Kenny Dalglish was also a student at Glasgow Clyde College’s Anniesland Campus in the late 1960s, where he studied to be an apprentice joiner. Following his education at the college, Kenny went on to be one of the world’s most renowned players and managers, making over 800 club appearances for Celtic and Liverpool and scoring 229 goals. Kenny also earned a record 102 full caps for the Scotland national team, scoring 30 goals – still an all-time Scottish record.

Another footballing link for the college is through current West Ham manager, David Moyes. His father, David Moyes Snr, was awarded an MBE for his services to education after 40 years working at Glasgow Clyde College’s Anniesland Campus – a job he combined with his role at Drumchapel Amateurs Football Club where he nurtured the stars of tomorrow.

Learning the importance of discipline, etiquette, and hard work from his father, Moyes Jnr. had a successful playing career before becoming a world class football coach at Everton, Manchester United and Real Sociedad. 

Today, Glasgow Clyde College has a multitude of football courses to choose from, from an NQ Pathway into Football Coaching to an HNC in Football Coaching & Developing Sport. These courses are designed to give individuals the skills, expertise, and relevant vocational qualifications to work within the football industry and they boast strong industry links with a number of Junior and Senior clubs including Pollok, Celtic FC and Partick Thistle.  

Visit the Glasgow Clyde College prospectus to find out more about our football-related courses: https://www.glasgowclyde.ac.uk/courses/keyword:football - who knows, you might have what it takes to be the next King Kenny!