Broxburn’s Beagley has boots to fill
Tuesday, 19th Jul 2022“I have enjoyed coming on in games. With fans watching there is more pressure but I enjoy it and I think it makes me play better
Michael Beagley only turned 17 in February but he arrived at Dunfermline with some serious experience behind him for his age.
Michael was one of five young players signing on Modern Apprentice contracts in June this year and he already has played games in the East of Scotland League and internationals for the Scottish Schoolboys. He has now made two appearances for Dunfermline after being used as a substitute in the friendly against Cove Rangers and the Premier Sports Cup tie against Buckie Thistle.
Commencing at Broxburn Albion Park soccer school in his home town, Michael progressed through Broxburn Colts to sign for Hearts at the age of ten. While there for six years he attended Balerno High School and was coached by the likes Paul Thomson, Scott McLennan and John Rankin.
Describing himself as a central midfielder, Michael took up the story:
“I returned to Broxburn Athletic in the East of Scotland League with Chris Townsley and Scott McNaughton where the exposure to mens’ football progressed me a lot. I was the youngest scorer ever for them when I scored in the League Cup. It was my first goal for them!”
Michael had made his debut on 30th December 2021 in the Union Canal derby coming on as a sub for Broxburn in the East of Scotland League in front of a crowd restricted at the time to 500.
“I made my debut against Linlithgow Rose. I came on against them so there were a lot of fans there but I have not played in front of as many as against Cove and Buckie. I have enjoyed coming on in games. With fans watching there is more pressure but I enjoy it and I think it makes me play better.”
His inclusion in Scotland squads for internationals earlier this year indicates the talent he has. He started against in the Centenary Shield matches against England and Wales, and was subbed in at half time against Northern Ireland. This raised his profile and when he was scouted by Dunfermline he was invited to trial:-
“I played a few games and obviously I must have impressed them. It is really good training with the full timers. I feel that I’m improving every day, it is different training with men you need to use everything more than when playing players of your own age.
“Because I was at Balerno with Hearts for four years I was training every day. So I have done that before but here it is harder than what I have ever done.”
Michael is on the boots of Joe Chalmers, Chris Hamilton, Paul Allan, Graham Dorrans and Kyle Macdonald but he really hopes to get much closer to the first team than these boots at some stage this season.
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