Elgin City goalkeeper Tom Ritchie speaks about being a full-time professional at Aberdeen and spells in Highland League and SPFL before joining him home club.
00:00Yeah, no, I'm absolutely delighted. I just can't wait to get going. I can't wait for the games to pick up and just can't wait to get going.
00:05I've obviously been here a week now and I blend in with the lads really well, like all the lads and I get on. So yeah, delighted.
00:10I think I was just the way to turn 10, so nine, nine, just the way to turn 10.
00:13And how did you get picked up then?
00:15So I was just playing for Ross County and then I think I played against, I think we played against Bucky actually.
00:20And then there was a scout there watching and they asked me to come for a six week trial and then obviously I went in the six weeks.
00:26And I think after four or five weeks, they said they'd take me, which I was delighted about because I obviously was expecting news after the six weeks.
00:31So to get it early was good. And then from then, mum and dad were taking me through twice a week, which is obviously a massive commitment for them.
00:36So I've got to thank them massively for that. And then I was in the youth academy all the way up, managed to win the Scottish Cup with them in under 16.
00:43So that was a huge boost. And we had a really good age group as well. Like my age was a really good age group.
00:47Some of like really good players, Calvin Ramsey as well, Lyle Booth, who's here, Jack McIver, who's here.
00:52We had a really good age group and then went full time as I turned 16. And I've been there since I was obviously now.
00:59And then now I've made the transition here. So yeah, I've had loads of good memories of the club.
01:03Obviously, it was the best possible way to leave by obviously being part of the squad that won the cup.
01:07So yeah, absolutely delighted. Yeah. I think it was the right time for me to leave.
01:10Like I think it all kind of worked itself out perfectly because obviously New Andrew came in and I just wasn't in his plans and stuff.
01:16So like it was fine me and spoke about it and we came to my agreement that, you know, the best thing for me was to come and play games.
01:22And obviously to be in an environment where I'm seen to be in competition for playing games.
01:27That's the word it better. So I thought this was the best step for me.
01:30I'd spoke to a few teams and stuff, but I've obviously worked with Alan and Stefan before and I rate them very, very highly.
01:35So as soon as that came about, I was sort of like that's the one I was leaning towards.
01:39And then I'm just glad that it got all done and stuff and everything was agreed.
01:42You played here at Burrow Briggs last season for Body Rig. It looked like you were going to be on the winning side until a couple of late flammies and Russell Dignall stuck a few kick past you.
01:51I've already spoke to him about that. So yeah, I've told him I wasn't very happy with him, but no, it's good.
01:56I mean, it was good. I had loads of my family and friends at the game that day and stuff.
01:59Obviously the result wasn't that good, but putting that to the side, it was obviously, it was just a nice occasion.
02:05So now they'll be getting that every week's nice. Do you know what I mean?
02:07I know Alan's delighted now that he's got two very talented goalkeepers, the two Toms together here and the competition is going to be really intense for that number one jersey.
02:17Yeah, I mean, it'll be good. I mean, that's what you probably want as a goalie.
02:20I mean, you want to be fighting for number one. You want to be having these battles day in, day out with training.
02:25Do you know what I mean? Because obviously I know Tam as well. I knew him before he even signed and he's a great lad.
02:28He's a great lad. So I know that whatever happens, whether I'm playing or he's playing, we'll both support each other because we've got that sort of friendship.
02:34So, I mean, I'm looking forward to the challenge. It'll be good. And he's obviously a lot older and experienced.
02:37So there's loads I can learn from him as well. Do you know what I mean? So I'm just looking forward to it.
02:42There's a manager there. I mean, obviously I hope that I'm obviously playing the majority of those games, obviously, as I'd be expected to say.
02:52But yeah, we'll just see how it goes. I mean, from what I've seen in training, it's been a really good standard.
02:56So, yeah, just take it game by game. I think we've got to do and just see where we can get to.
