| Scott McCulloch |
 Scott Anderson James McCulloch was born on Saturday, 29th November, 1975, in Cumnock, East Ayrshire. The 6' 1 (11st 6lbs) defender signed for Dick Campbell's Thistle on Tuesday, 19th July, 2005, having most recently been with Ayr United. Aged 29, he made his debut appearance on Wednesday, 20th July, 2005, in a 0-0 friendly draw at home to Sheffield Wednesday. Scott scored his first goal for Thistle on Saturday, 1st October, 2005, in a 6-1 win away to Alloa Athletic in the SFL Second Division. He scored the last of his 13 goals on Saturday, 30th September, 2006, in a 3-2 win at home to Ross County in the SFL First Division. He played his last game for the club on Saturday, 6th January, 2007, in a 1-0 win away to Ross County in the Scottish Cup, having appeared as a Jag on 66 occasions. Scott's club-list included Rangers, Hamilton Academical, Dunfermline Athletic, Dundee United, Cardiff City, Airdrieonians, Forfar Athletic, Brechin City, Ayr United, Partick Thistle and Stenhousemuir. |
 The defender began his career with Rangers but left for Hamilton Academical before playing a first team game. Gaining first team experience at Douglas Park in Division One, he moved on to Dunfermline Athletic in December 1997, making his debut against United at Tannadice. After just over a year at East End Park he was involved in a swap deal that brought him to Tannadice, which Jamie Dolan heading in the opposite direction. He made his debut in a 1-0 victory over Rangers at Ibrox and played regularly until the end of the season. He featured frequently in the next campaign but left in September 2000 to join Cardiff City for around £100,000. After a good start, in which he helped win promotion for his new club, he was transfer listed and played just once in the next campaign. He signed for Forfar Athletic in March 2002 and stayed at Station Park for a year, before spending a year each at Brechin City and Ayr United. 'Boab' as he was fondly known at Thistle, was brought to Firhill by Dick Campbell in the summer of 2005, re-uniting with his old Brechin gaffer. It was a 12-month deal and, although Thistle were full-time, the player negotiated a part-time deal for himself, in order that he might protect the security of his long-term employment. Thistle had been relegated from the First Division and were looking to bounce back immediately. Dick's vision was to build a solid back four line, and Scott was seen as the ideal player for the left back role, able to slot in as left centre back as and when necessary. 'Boab' proved to be an extremely popular addition, endearing himself to the Firhill faithful with his honesty, his commitment to the cause and a wand of a left foot which led to PTTV commentator Campbell Hughes labelling him 'rocket man'. The goals were blasted in with a fair degree of regularity for a defender, the final tally reading 13 after his 18 month stint at the club. His goal at Stair Park in May 2006 ultimately was crucial in seeing Thistle through the play-offs and back into the First Division at the first time of asking. A new season-long deal was negotiated for 2006-07, but the part-time player in a more demanding full-time environment proved to be too awkward this time around, and Boab's time at the club came to an end by mutual agreement in January 2007. Post-Firhill he spent a season-and-a-half at Stenhousemuir before hanging up his boots in the summer of 2008. Scott has a great affinity with his hometown club, Cumnock Juniors, and has maintained a low-key involvement in many areas, and was still coaching the youths there well into his 40s. |
| (ARA/WS) |
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