Stenhousemuir striker Errol Douglas will have good cause to remember November 2013 as he made his first starts in senior football and notched his first goals in the William Hill Scottish Cup and League football.
The 19-year-old summer signing from East of Scotland League side Craigroyston had already grabbed a goal against Arbroath in the Ramsdens Cup on his debut back in July. In the last three weeks he added a Scottish Cup strike against Annan and then Arbroath suffered again as Douglas hit what turned out to be the winner in last Saturday’s 3-2 success.
Douglas talked through his maiden goal at Ochilview last weekend by saying: “I was just on the park as a substitute and John Gemmell played a great first time pass. I took the ball into my path first time without even thinking about it. My first touch took it around their goalkeeper about the 18 yard box.”
The striker then jokingly added: “My second touch was my sclaffed shot that went right into the corner to make it 3-1.”
It may be a modest step but Douglas took the goal like a seasoned professional and he said: “That is me up to 3 goals now in my senior career. Craigroyston were not in the top league of the East of Scotland last season but we did win the First Division and it was hard to step up at first.”
“However when you get your fitness up to speed it becomes easier. I am playing with very good players here at Stenhousemuir and that helps you get better and better as well.”
Douglas’ striking team-mates get special thanks as he explained: “It is a long season and I will get more goals I am sure of that. I am playing with really good strikers here with guys like John Gemmell, Darren Smith and Sean Higgins all having lots of experience. There is huge competition for places as we also have Ross McNeil who has stepped up from amateur football. That competition is good for me and it has helped me raise my game.”
“I look up to the guys that have been in football for a while and I know that working with them will help me to improve my game.”
The front man improved season on season before coming to Stenhousemuir as he explained: “I started off playing with my local Boys Club Salveson and then moved onto Craigroyston under-19. Salveson have a great record of producing players and Mark Hendrie has gone on to play for Craigroyston as well.”
“I played one season at that age group and then stepped up to their first team even though the 19’s wanted me for the final year at that age group. There were a few good players there and we won the East of Scotland First Division. I have to say that Craigroyston gave me a great grounding in the game.”
The form Douglas was in as he helped his side to the title by scoring 23 goals last season had already attracted attention from East Stirling however he held off until the end of last season before deciding whether to go senior.
He did not have to wait long to have options as he explained: “I was invited in to do some training with Raith Rovers over the summer and I was in there for 2 weeks. Their manager Grant Murray had seen me play in my last game for Craigroyston against Berwick Rangers Reserves last season. We won 3-1 and Grant said he was impressed and asked me to come in for a two week trial period.”
“I was in doing that when I was asked by Craigroyston to play in a pre-season friendly against Stenhousemuir. I was told that Stenhousemuir were keen to see me in action in the game so I opted to play in it.”
“I did well and scored two goals as we drew 2-2. Almost immediately after the game they told me that they wanted to sign me. The Manager Martyn Corrigan and his assistant Kevin McGoldrick talked to me afterwards and everything they said I agreed with so I signed that night.”
Douglas is now getting up to speed with League 1 as he explained: “The standard is higher than I was used to. It is a big step up and I am getting there. Scoring against Arbroath at the start of the season was a great boost and scoring against them last weekend to break my duck in the league is a boost as well.”
“I have made 8 appearances with 2 starts and 3 goals, that is a good way to get my career off and running. I also played for the last 8 minutes of the Ramsdens Cup Semi-Final against Rangers and to be part of that game was incredible. We played well that night so it was disappointing to lose and miss out on the Final against Raith Rovers.”
There could be another Cup run coming with Douglas saying: “We have a William Hill Scottish Cup tie coming up with Fraserburgh and if we win that one we would be in the last sixteen and that is pretty good going. We are also in the hunt for a Play-Off place so there are lots for me to be excited about and I am really enjoying my time here.”
Douglas was asked what he hoped to achieve in his maiden season and he said: “The plan for me is to keep improving throughout the season and see what happens come the end of it in terms of staying at this level. Hopefully I will have done enough for Stenhousemuir to want me to stay on. “
“My goal at the start of the season was just to score 5 goals this season. I thought that would be a good target to hit in my first year as a professional. I am a couple short of that at the moment and I would be delighted to pass that landmark before I look to do anything else.”
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