For Scott McClymont, it all started with answering some questions on PLZ Soccer’s Facebook page. Little did he know that taking a few moments to type some words on social media would result in him enjoying a moment of glory where he bettered the skills of professional footballers. And then got to drive away a brand-new-Peugeot 3008.
The competition
PLZ Soccer, in partnership with Arnold Clark, wanted to celebrate the end of football’s transfer window, after which clubs can’t sign new players until January. They decided to give football fans an experience they would never forget, mixing with some top professionals, and getting to walk on the hallowed turf of a beloved football team. After answering some testing questions, the successful entrants were put into a draw and eight lucky winners were invited to take part in an incredible challenge.
To win the car, all they had to do was kick a football through an open car window while it drove down the side of a football pitch. How hard could it be?
The big day
It was the day of Glasgow’s Old Firm derby, but the eyes of the world were focused across the city on Partick Thistle’s Firhill Stadium. Eight heroes gathered to take a shot at glory, their families and friends assembled in the stands. The contestants had the option to take the shot themselves or could nominate a seasoned pro to go into battle on their behalf. Those gladiators were Greenock Morton midfielders Gary Harkins and Chris Millar, former Scotland and Rangers captain Barry Ferguson, former Celtic winger Joe Miller and Glasgow City midfielder Leanne Ross. Everything was appropriately randomised with the competitors drawing numbered balls to decide the order of play and which player would kick for them. However, not all contestants chose to use the professional; two decided to take the shots themselves, with Motherwell man Scott McClymont putting his fate in his own hands.
The scene was set, the players were ready. If the ball went in at the first shot it would all be over. The first kick missed. Then the next. Some shots came close but the result was the same. Miss after miss. Miss. Miss. Miss. Two rounds passed and Leanne Ross, Chris Millar and Gary Harkins tried again but it looked like an impossible task. Could anyone step up to the occasion?
The moment
The scene was set. The crowd were getting restless. The underdog, surely regretting his decision to take these kicks himself, stepped up to the plate. He put down the ball. The car started. Scott stood over the ball, unperturbed, waiting for the perfect moment. He looked up and picked his spot. He wrapped his foot around the ball. It was a shot with everything – speed, curve, dip, but above all, accuracy. The ball cut through the air like a hot knife through butter as handled by someone really experienced in making toast. There was only one destination. It swooped through the window and nestled in the car, as if it had found its spiritual home. A moment of silence was followed by a moment of realisation. Then the noise! Cheers, hugs, the crowd went wild. What a shot!
The handover
PLZ’s leading men Peter Martin and Alan Rough came along to Arnold Clark’s Glasgow Peugeot branch in Mount Vernon to hand over the keys to the car to the skilful winner.
Speaking at the handover, Peter said: ‘The spirit and the fun on the day was magnificent and even the professional footballers were hoping they could nail it, but Scott just had the right trajectory, straight through the window. Honestly, it was like Scotland scoring a goal in the World Cup finals. I’ve commentated on a good few goals in my time but that was up there and I was so delighted for Scott.’
His colleague Alan Rough added: ‘I thought it was a fantastic goal. I thought it was great on the day that we had all these professional footballers there, all doing well and then the bold man jumps up and puts it through himself. I think that made it a wee bit special for him and you could see the look on his face of enjoyment. It was just great to see.’
And finally, the lucky winner told us all about his wonder-shot. Scott said: ‘I was just trying to get the right height. I missed the first one completely, the second one was pretty close and the third one was straight in. It was unbelievable. It’s a stunning car, so I’m really looking forward to driving it.’
Congratulations Scott! Enjoy your new car.