Alan Campbell (Centre half)
Alan moved to Links Park in the summer of 2009 from Carnoustie Panmure. He picked up the Directors Player of the Year and Players Player of the Year trophies in season 2009/10 and was again Directors Player of the Year in 2010/11. He was spotted playing junior football with Scone Thistle and was quickly snapped up by Arbroath manager John McGlashan spent two seasons with Arbroath having a couple of loan spells with Carnoustie Panmure. After being released by Arbroath he joined Carnoustie in April 2009. Strong and powerful central defender who can also play at right and left back. Alan has made over seventy appearances for the club. Age 26.
In Conversation with Alan CampbelL - Match programme september 2009
Alan, coming from Carnoustie Panmure to Montrose in the Summer, what differences have you seen in your short time at the club?
The set up at Montrose is great, everything is laid out for you at training and food is laid on for afterwards which is a real bonus for those of us who go straight to training from work. The artificial pitch is also something that I am getting used to.
Do you think there is a huge step up in class playing in the Third Division?
There are really good players within the junior game, but the biggest difference is the speed of thought of players in the senior game. You have to be constantly switched on, as you often get punished for simple mistakes, which you might get away with in the junior game.
Do you see any similarities between Montrose and your old club Arbroath?
Yeah, there are similarities within the clubs and the passion from the supporters, but from a personal perspective, the two teams are pretty different. My time at Arbroath I was seen as an in-experienced player within a squad of experienced guys, however at Montrose I am now the 3rd or 4th oldest at 25, and have more experience than a lot of the boys here. That is a total change for me, but certainly one that I enjoy.
What kind of club would you describe Montrose as?
It’s certainly a very friendly and welcoming club, even to someone who has played for the local rivals!!
What about your career so far, who has been your biggest Influence?
It was my coach at my secondary school who played me at centre half for the first time, so he must get some credit as it was playing at centre half that I was spotted. But biggest influence is definitely my dad, who was a pretty decent centre half in his day.
So far you have played at right back, centre half and in midfield but what is your favoured position to play in the team?
My favoured position is probably centre half, a lot less running than in mid-field!! I’m pretty comfortable playing in any of those positions and as long as I’m in the starting 11, I’ll play anywhere the gaffer wants.
Did you have a hero or favourite team as a boy?
I am a Ross County fan and used to get picked up in Perth to go to all the away games before I started playing on a Saturday. It was great playing at Dingwall in the League Cup, although the result turned it into bit of a nightmare!! My favourite player growing up was ‘Super’ Ally McCoist.
What about the changes at the club-12 so far to date, have you had the chance to get to know your new team mates?
Yeah, we’ve had a few long away journeys already this season so that helps getting to know team-mates. It’s good travelling up with the squad of boys from Dundee, as there are a couple of entertainers to keep spirits up.
Do you think this new Montrose team can gel together quickly and put in a good challenge for the title or at least promotion this season even from their current position?
The squad is improving every week with injured players returning and the work we are putting in at training, so without doubt we should be looking for a promotion spot.
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What about your aims for Montrose this season?
Simply my aim is to be playing every week and the fact there is good competition in the squad from the younger guys, this can only make me a better player and help Montrose to win and get up the league.
Which teams do you think will challenge for the title this season?
I think it will be very close this season no stand-out team so far, as everyone will take points off each other. Forfar should be up there with the experienced players they have brought in.
What about the current situation with Scotland, is our football really that bad that only the Old Firm are left in Europe and Scotland have failed to qualify yet again for a major championship?
As a football supporter, it was embarrassing to see the other Scottish teams all knocked out of Europe so early on and devastating for the national team to be missing another World Cup, the world needs to see the Tartan Army at majorcompetitions again!
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