Thanks paid to Accies as fledglings fly south

Jul 23 2009 by Andrew McGilvray, Hamilton Advertiser

JAMES McCarthy this week admitted he couldn’t knock Wigan back – because the midfield ace feared he wouldn’t get another crack at the Premiership.

The 18-year-old this week sealed a £1.2 million move from Hamilton to Wigan – with that figure possibly rising to nearer £3m over the course of his five-year deal – and admitted he wrestled with the possibility of staying at New Douglas Park for another season.

Once his decision was made to move down south, he then had to choose between Wolverhampton Wanderers and the Latics – but the prospect of linking up again with former Accies player and assistant manager Graeme Jones at the JJB Stadium sealed it.

James told the Advertiser he believes it’s a dream move, but stressed the importance of keeping his feet on the ground.

He said: “It’s a dream come true and a chance to play in the Premiership. Hopefully I can keep my head down and work as hard as I can.

“I’m thrilled about the prospect of going to places like Manchester City and Manchester United, but it’s important that I keep my feet on the ground.

“I wondered if I should stay at Hamilton or go and thought about it a lot, but this could be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and I think Wigan are a great club, so I had to go for it.

“I enjoyed it down at Wolves and they really looked after me, but Graeme Jones and Roberto Martinez told me they were going to give me a great chance and when I spoke to them last Friday that was it, my mind was made up.

“The fact that I have worked with Graeme Jones helped in my decision, and he’s a great guy, as is the gaffer Roberto Martinez. They’ll look after me and are great guys to work with.

“They play a good style of football that suits me and the way they spoke to me made me think this was the right move.”

Like Accies team-mate and close friend Brian Easton, McCarthy was full of praise for everybody at New Douglas Park for giving him his break.

He said: “I couldn’t thank the Hamilton fans any more – they’ve been brilliant with me, in the last season especially.

“But for three years they were fantastic with me so thanks to all of them.

“And I can’t thank the gaffer, Billy Reid, enough for everything he’s done for me, and really everybody at the club from the chairman Ronnie MacDonald down to the kit-man Danny Cunning, secretary Scott Struthers, and just everybody.

“Experienced guys like Alex Neil and Mark McLaughlin really helped me a lot as well and were brilliant, as well as being great guys.

“But I would also like to thank James McArthur – it was excellent to play alongside him, he’s a brilliant player, and I wouldn’t be surprised if a bid came in for him within the next month or so.”

Having Easton only a short journey away is something James reckons will help him settle, but said both of them will need to work harder than ever to ensure their big moves are successful.

McCarthy said: “I spoke to Eastie the other night so we’ll see what happens, but it’s down to business for us both, really.

“It will be great to see him now and again, and I’ll have my family down here now and again as well.”

BRIAN Easton admits he needs to pinch himself after going from the fringes of Hamilton’s first team to the English Premiership in three years.

Having impressed in Accies’ first team for the last three seasons, the talented 21-year-old left-back last Tuesday put pen to paper on a three-year deal at Burnley worth £350,000 plus incentives.

Although he was sad to leave New Douglas Park, Easton said the prospect of locking horns with many of the world’s elite players was simply too good to turn down.

But he was at pains to thank boss Billy Reid and chairman Ronnie MacDonald for giving him an opportunity in the first place.

Speaking shortly before Burnley jetted to America for a 10-day pre-season programme, Easton said: “It was sad to leave because Hamilton Accies has been a big part of my life, but it was an opportunity I couldn’t turn down.

“It’s the Premiership and the prospect of playing against all these teams is just fantastic.

“I know I’ll have to work as hard as I can to get into the team and stay there, but that’s what I’m here to do.

“A couple of days ago I took a look at the first few fixtures and it’s just amazing – there are some really big teams and you’re playing against the best players in the world.

“To be honest I need to pinch myself a bit; I got into the first team at Hamilton three years ago and I was delighted with that, then we won the First Division the following season, went up to the SPL and stayed there, and now I’m in the Premiership – it’s just unbelievable!

“It hasn’t just happened though – I’ve worked really hard to get where I am, but that shows any other boys at Hamilton what can happen.

“I’m really looking forward to getting started and it can’t come fast enough.”

On July 12 Easton made an emotional final visit to New Douglas Park to say goodbye before travelling down to Lancashire for talks with Burnley Owen Coyle, a former Motherwell hero.

He added: “I was sad to leave on Sunday when I popped in to say goodbye to a few of the boys, because I’ve had a fantastic time at Hamilton.

“Everybody was great there, the fans were fantastic with me and I had a very close relationship with them, but it was time for me to move on and this was an offer I couldn’t turn down.

“I couldn’t thank Hamilton Accies, Billy Reid and the chairman Ronnie MacDonald enough – they’ve been absolutely fantastic with me and gave me my chance, and I’ll never forget that.”