“Where there is faith, there is light and strength.“
I think that statement says a lot about me as a person and a lot about my journey in football also.
Sadly I have been told I need to make the decision to retire from professional football - a day I never thought would actually come. While I am still a player at Tranmere Rovers I will do everything I can behind the scenes to help the Club achieve its aims.
I’ve been lucky enough to live the dream, from jumpers for goalposts when I was a kid to leading my team out at Wembley. A journey full of the highest highs and lowest lows. But I’m truly thankful for all of it.
I have to say a huge thank you to my wife Claire and children Sonny and Rudy for understanding the sacrifices. And all of my family and friends who supported me in good times and bad. Especially my mum, you gave me everything I needed to chase my dream as a child. Without you it wouldn’t have been possible.
To the clubs I represented: Thank you.
To all my teammates and coaches past and present: Thank you. I’ve honestly met some of the best people, who are now great friends and shared some of the best memories.
A special thank you to the gaffer, Micky Mellon, who has trusted me to be his goalie for many years. Always had faith and trust in me and taught me a lot about life and what it is to be a man as well as a goalkeeper. For that I’m forever grateful.
To the chairman and Nicola, thank you. Great people who love their club and gave me the opportunity to play for this amazing football club.
To the SWA. Nearly 7 years on from when I walked through the door. I can honestly say they have been the best days of my life. The emotions we’ve been through. The Wembley trips. The promotions. I have a heart full of memories to last me a lifetime.
It’s a football club I will always love and one I now support. The gaffer once told me ‘Tranmere grabs a hold of you’ and he was not wrong. It’s an amazing club that I’m truly blessed to have represented as many times as I have.
You always supported me in good moments and bad and for that I’m forever grateful. One thing I’d like you all to remember about me above all, whether you loved me or hated me, whether I was a good goalie or a bad one…just know I gave you everything I had to represent this club in the Tranmere way, and I never left anything out on the field.
Thank you, thank you for everything. I’ll never forget. Just remember wherever I am I’ll be singing Super White Army 💙
Scotty x
Chairman Mark Palios added:
"Scotty has been one of the most influential players in and around the Club for most of my time here.
"He not only contributed on the pitch through two promotions and four trips to Wembley but also bridged the gap between the dressing room and the boardroom over a period which saw the Club through the non league period and into League 1 as well as through the impact of the pandemic.
"Whilst I understand how hard it is for a player to accept that the day has come to decide to retire, I am pleased to say that Scotty will remain a Tranmere player until the end of his contract and will continue to contribute to the Club's promotion push in every way that he can."