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25
Aug 2022
Goalkeeper's journey from Harrogate Railway to the Champions League
Beginning your career at Station View in Starbeck and ending up at grounds like the San Siro, Nou Camp and the Allianz Arena is an unlikely, even implausible, career path, but Jon McLaughlin was tipped for the top from the very start.
The 34-year-old Glasgow Rangers goalkeeper started last night during a 1-0 win over PSV that secured his club's place in the Champions League group stages for the first time in over a decade.
Rangers were regulars in the competition in the 2000s when McLaughlin was starting out his career at Harrogate Railway.
Back then, he was a lanky 19-year-old student at Leeds Metropolitan University taking his first steps into part-time, non-league football.
'The Battle of Harrogate'
McLaughlin made his debut for Railway in the Unibond League Cup away at Gateshead in 2006, due to an injury to the first-choice keeper.
He soon cemented his place in the side and stood out during Railway's second fairytale FA Cup run of that decade. They were eventually knocked out by Mansfield Town in the 2nd round, live in front of the BBC cameras.
Earlier in the competition, fans of both Railway and Harrogate Town fondly remember his performance in a 2-1 qualifying win over a pre-Irving Weaver Harrogate Town.
The two clubs were at a much more even level than today.
It was a blustery October afternoon game that was watched by 1,300 at Station View. In a match report, non-league blogger Paul Kirkwood described the atmosphere, which contrasts wildly to the cauldron of Ibrox that the goalkeeper plays in today.
The Scot's talent was evident, and it was clear Railway had found a gem.
Following Railway's FA Cup heroics, he was signed by Town in early 2008. At the time, then-Railway boss Vince Brockie predicted the 20-year-old would play for Scotland one day, and he eventually did in 2018.
'Massive for the club'
Railway's secretary Dave Shepherd said he was proud to see one of the club's former players make it to the top of the game
Harrogate Railway's vice chairman Lee Holmes said Railway has been a good starting point for many players over the years.
Katherine Swinn, of Harrogate Town Independent Supporters Group, also remembers McLaughlin as a "great keeper, too good for non-league and very highly thought of".
Up the ladder
After leaving Town after half a season, McLaughlin moved to professional, full-time football with Bradford City. They were then managed by Harrogate resident and fellow Scot Stuart McCall.
His career has included a League Cup final at Wembley and he will be hoping to make the Scotland squad for the Qatar World Cup later this year, but he still credits his time in Harrogate as laying the foundations for his success.
He told the Daily Record in 2020
“I follow all my former teams. Harrogate Town just got promoted and it’s great to see them starting to build.
“When I was at Harrogate Railway before that, the pitches were open to anyone who wanted to walk in but nobody wanted to walk in unfortunately!
“There were a couple of men and a dog watching games so it’s the polar opposite to now.
“It’s great to be where I am now and hopefully it means I’ll never take it for granted.
“I have an appreciation for what I have now. I know first hand the difference between lifestyles from then and now – and the hours you have to dedicate to it.
“I don’t think any of the Harrogate lads are playing pro football now. We’re talking about quite a few levels below the National League in England so it was part-time boys.
“We try to stay in contact but I don’t get down too often. I don’t get the chance to get involved in the reunions but it would be great to go back.”
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