A retired footballer whose semi-professional team is climbing the Scottish Football League ladder has eyes on a new prize after discovering an enthusiasm for greyhound racing.
Craig Armstrong represented clubs including Aberdeen, Shotts Bon Accord and Bellshill Athletic during his player career and is now Director of Football at Gartcairn FC.
The club’s first team has won two promotions in the last three seasons and plays in the West of Scotland League Premier Division with over 800 junior members plus a senior team, women’s squad and provisions for neurodiverse players with additional needs.
The 44-year-old is now hoping to translate success on the pitch to joy on the track after becoming the proud owner of 12 racing greyhounds trained by Livingstone-based handler Brian Fairbairn, also a former footballer.
And the pair are aiming for the top after kennel star Slingshot Sam finished runner-up in the Time Greyhound Nutrition Northern Flat – one of the sport’s most prestigious competitions – and Slingshot Ali reached the final of the Arena Racing Company Puppy Cup at Newcastle and Sunderland Stadiums respectively.
“We’ve won trophies and leagues on the pitch – now we want success in greyhound racing and everyone at the club is onboard,” said Craig. “We all experienced a terrific buzz when (Slingshot) Sam almost won our first Category One competition this summer.
“That night at Newcastle has only fuelled our enthusiasm for greyhound racing and we have scores of people who want to be part of the journey.”
Top of Craig’s targets is the Premier Greyhound Racing All England Cup – a competition first held in 1938 and now worth £20,000 to the winner.
It is open to 36 greyhounds and takes place during the festive season at Newcastle Stadium with this year’s final scheduled for Friday, December 27. Over 140 people connected to the ‘Slingshot’ prefix have already booked their tickets for finals night where it is hoped one of the dozen greyhounds owned by Craig can scoop the prize.
“I don’t think so many people have booked in for a finals night so far in advance not knowing if they’ll even have a runner,” said Craig. “That’s how enthusiastic everyone is – we’ve built a real community of people who love greyhounds.
“They love seeing the work that happens behind the scenes at the kennels. Everyone works hard and the dogs are so well looked after which resonates with everyone.
“Last year’s All England Cup final really motivated us to continue our ownership journey – the atmosphere was electric.
“Our first targets were to win A1 and open races, then reach Category Two and Category One finals. We achieved those quite quickly with Ali and Sam, so our next target is the big one.
“And we believe we have a fair chance of achieving it with our dogs.”
After retiring from football in 2016 having made over 200 professional appearances, Brian is now responsible for 20 greyhounds and is supported each day by his father George.
The pair’s passion for greyhounds stems from Brian’s grandfather. And it was a chance meeting with Craig via a mutual friend which led to them training some of the country’s fastest dogs.
Brian said: “Craig is a real people person, he loves bringing groups together and making the best of any situation.
“When the opportunity to race our greyhounds at Newcastle Stadium presented itself, we jumped at the chance and haven’t looked back. We’re only a small team, but we have big ambitions and love the challenge with the support of our brilliant owners including Craig.
“Fingers crossed we can experience more success this year.”
