Accies ace Ali appearing at Youth Football Awards

The Hamilton Accies midfielder (22) – who will present prizes at our big bash in Carluke Masonic Hall – came through the ranks at Carluke team Milton Rovers prior to his successful career in the professional game.

Ali has very happy memories of his time at Milton between the ages of four and nine – including scoring eight goals in the same match.

“Scoring eight was quite surreal,” Ali said.

“We won the match 9-1 at the Moor and my personal total is the most I’ve ever scored in a single match.

“My papa Bob Crawford used to pay me £1 for every goal I scored, so he was pretty disappointed that night! After that game he reduced the amount he gave me per goal to 50p.”

Trophies for the awards night are kindly being provided by Lanark jeweller McKellars, with sponsorship coming from Carluke Rotary Club, Ramsay of Carluke and Councillor Pat Lee. Thanks very much to them all.

For more on this story pick up a copy of the Carluke and Lanark Gazette which is in the shops now.