BEN MOCHRIE

ABOUT ME

Ben started his footballing career at Arthurlie Juniors Football Academy at age 9.  He stood out because of his height and power at that age group. Ben has played in numerous tournaments in stadiums around Scotland for his team and was always in the team.

1 year later, Ben's coach at Arthurlie left to go to Barrhead Youth Football and he took Ben with him. As the team progressed from 9aside football to 11 aside football Ben became a permanent fixture in the defence and enjoyed playing with his friends here. At his age, this was still non-competitive football, but Ben still managed to compete in tournaments around Scotland and pick up up some medals along the way. As the team moved on to 11 a-side football, due to the lack of numbers the team unfortunately folded.

Ben moved onto Sons of Struth; a club affiliated with Rangers Football Club. He enjoyed his time here, with the team training at Rangers and doing Adidas Coerver training. Unfortunately, Ben couldn’t break into the starting 11 and left after 7 months in order to find another team where there would be a better chance of more game time.

Ben then moved up a year (2006) and joined Hillwood Thistle where he is still playing. currently.  In Ben's first year with Hillwood, he adapted well to a tougher environment, as the boys were a year older. Ben started 15 games in his first season, but unfortunately the Pandemic hit and the season was brought to a halt early.

With no football training on as the country went into lockdown, Ben started taking part in online group football and fitness sessions, which were held by Pro Academy (now Prime football). He applied himself well during this tough period, and he was awarded a signed football top from the Liverpool FC player and captain of the Scotland national team Andrew Robertson for his hard work and being the best trainer during the virtual training camp, receiving his signed top once restrictions allowed.

When youth football resumed Ben returned to Hillwood Thistle playing 35 games and assisting the team to their first ever cup final and highest ever league placing. Unfortunately, Ben came off injured late in the cup final and the team eventually lost 3-2 to a last-minute winner.

In Ben's second season, he was a mainstay for Hillwood Thistle, playing 49 games and starting 47 of them. Ben has been instrumental in assisting the team to promotion, finishing 1 point behind the eventual league winners and picking up coaches’ player of the year for his hard work and determination throughout the season.

Ben has also begun his own coaching journey and is helping out with the younger Hillwood Teams while doing his SFA coaching qualifications.

Ben is looking to become a sports physiotherapist and is interested in sports science.

Studying in America has been something that Ben has always been very interested in persuing, as he is a very aware of the advanced facilities within the American colleges/Universities for both education and sports. Securing a placement/scholarship with a college/university, would allow Ben to study towards his qualification for this future career, and allow him to continue with his football education.