The Name is Bain, Jamie Bain

Diamonds are forever according to the famous Bond film theme tune but new Forfar signing, Jamie Bain, might not agree completely with those lyrics. Although he enjoyed eight fantastic years with his home town club Airdrie, Jamie is  very pleased with the way his Forfar career has started out.  

Jamie explains, “I am really loving it at Forfar. It was a big decision to leave Airdrie having joined as a youngster and also being a local boy. I put a lot of thought into it and spoke to my dad, who I am close to, especially when it  comes to footballing things. He wanted to make sure I was making the right choice – would I settle in at Forfar?  All credit to everyone at the club especially the Chairman and the Manager who have been really welcoming right from the  start. I honestly cannot say one bad thing about Forfar – it’s been brilliant so far.”

A few years after joining Dunbeth, a Coatbridge boys club, Jamie was spotted by Aberdeen at a tournament played at Cliftonhill, ironic that a key moment in the career of a future Airdrie star, would come at the home of rivals Albion Rovers.  Jamie then spent 18 months with the Aberdeen youth team before joining Airdrie-based Cairn Park a team run by his dad’s friend. Two years later the Airdrie United scouts discovered Jamie’s potential. “They were actually looking at two other lads but decided to bring our full team in for training in advance of a cup final and spotted me. I can remember as if it was yesterday how excited I was to be signed. That showed me early on that while a lot of your success in football is down to talent and hard work there is also an element of luck – being in the right place at the right time and that certainly was the case that day.”

Born in Bellshill, Jamie hails from Glenmavis a small village next door to Airdrie.  Jamie’s ties to the North Lanarkshire club run deep and were evidenced when he was presented with a commemorative team shirt to mark his 200^th appearance for Airdrie in late 2015. By coincidence the actual shirt presentation took place before a match against Forfar.  This level of commitment can also be found in Jamie’s footballing hero, Steven Gerrard, who was rightly praised for his loyalty to Liverpool. “He dedicated himself to Liverpool for so long and gave everything in every game.  I’d like to think I also have these qualities and so it was a very proud moment and wonderful of the club to mark my 200^th appearance.”

Jamie’s longevity at Airdrie, he was their longest serving player at the time, may explain his maturity and easy confidence which belie his years; he only turned 25 in August. Moving away from the familiar surroundings of New Broomfield was difficult but Jamie’s decision was no doubt made easier by the high regard he has for his old Airdrie boss Gary Bollan and his coaching team of Stuart Balmer and Ian Flaherty. “Six months before you are out of contract you can speak to anyone. Gary called me but he didn’t put pressure on me – he’s not that kind of guy. We had a good chat and a laugh. He was interested in how things were going and finished the call by saying if it didn’t work out at Airdrie he’d like me to play for Forfar the next season.” 

Taking on board everything Gary said, Jamie made up his mind that if he was going to sign for any club other than Airdrie it would be Forfar.  Airdrie moved to full-time over the summer and Jamie was offered a deal.  It was not as simple a choice as it might appear accepting a full-time footballing contract.  Doing the calculations Jamie realised he could not make it work financially and so he made the call Gary had been hoping to receive and the move north to Angus was agreed. “I get on well with Gary, Flats and Stuart. They are really good guys and that was a big factor.  I was also looking at what the Forfar set-up would be like and how I would fit into a new club. It was clear to me that it would be a good move and I have had no regrets.” 

Looking back on the pre-season, Jamie was impressed with the training sessions at St Andrews. Although, as a keen golfer, playing out of Airdrie Golf Club, Jamie may well have preferred spending time on the famous Old Course links rather than enduring the hard running programmes set by Gary. “The training at St Andrews was brilliant fun although hard work. I knew when I signed what a ‘Gary Bollan pre-season’ would be like – very tough with lots of running! The pain was worth it as can be seen in our great start to the season.”

He respects the manager’s absolute commitment and straight forward approach and wants to give him back the same. “Gary is clear that every game has to be taken as seriously as the last – it is a cliché but he insists we treat each match like a cup final and if we do that we’ll do well. There will be sticky patches during the season – every team goes through them - but the strength of the team will pull us through those times. Realistically we are all looking for promotion – but every team will be striving for that - so we need to stay focussed on wining. It’s as simple as that.  I’d like to show the fans that I always try to give 100% and I am passionate about all that I do. So it would be great if they keep behind us – they’ve been brilliant so far especially at the away games. The guys really love to hear the shouts and it does make a difference.”   

Jamie is quick to compliment Forfar kit and groundsman Martin Gray. “Martin is fantastic – the way he goes about his job – taking care of the kit, the boots, training gear and all the arrangements for matches is excellent. It’s something footballers look into because what seems like a small thing can go a long way. It’s such a professional set-up here behind the scenes. ” Another factor in helping Jamie feel at home are former Airdrie teammates David Cox, with whom Jamie car shares, and Jim Lister. He admitted that despite their outwardly confident manners David and he were nervous on their way to the first training session. That soon disappeared with the welcome they received at Station Park and the continued support for the new lads from old hands Gavin (Swankie) and Stuart (Malcolm) has been fantastic.  

It feels like Jamie has been part of the Station Park fixtures and fittings for some time. He has already played 12 times for the Loons including seven competitive fixtures and while he thinks the squad is shaping up well he insists it is too early to make end-of-season predictions. “Three out of three league wins is tremendous, including winning twice on the road, and so it has been a first-rate start to the season. Gary and his team have brought a talented group of lads together that should be successful but we do need to adapt to the battles ahead especially in tough away fixtures such as at Berwick and Edinburgh City. In those games we had to roll our sleeves up and get on with it and the lads are determined to build on that solid start.”

Not so wonderful for Jamie was missing a key Betfred League Cup match. “I really enjoyed getting competitive action so early on in the season - especially with joining a new club. But it wasn’t quite so great sitting on the side-lines at Peterhead having been sent off in my first competitive fixture against Dumbarton. Co-incidentally I was sent off in my first match after signing a professional contract with Airdrie. So as long as I don’t move on my disciplinary record should be fine!”  A new challenge for Jamie, where tensions are bound to run high, will be the Angus derbies and he is relishing seeing how they compare to their North Lanarkshire counterparts.  

Although he has not yet scored for the Loons, Forfar fans will be waiting with some anticipation for Jamie’s first strike given his reputation for scoring high-quality goals. In fact his first career goal won him the SFL goal of the month competition back in 2010 with a stunning volley from the edge of the box against Stenhousemuir.  He came close to matching this in Forfar colours when an ambitious lobbed volley hit the crossbar in the recent Aberdeen Irn-Bru Cup game.  His 15 Airdrie goals included a couple of important last minute strikes and his goal-scoring heroics led to Airdrie fans often singing ‘Jamie Bain doesn’t do tap-ins’.  You can even buy online a Airdrie t-shirt emblazoned with this slogan. One hopes the FAFC Club Shop might soon have the need to produce a Forfar version – although tap-in goals will also be acceptable to the Forfar faithful.   

Jamie’s competitive debut for Airdrie came in the, then, League One against St Johnstone in 2009. A now familiar figure was facing him on the opposition front line with Gavin Swankie playing for the Perth side. Jamie also recalls his delight at getting the chance to play against Norwich City in a friendly in 2009 at the age of 17. “I was just back from holiday and Kenny Black, the manager, called me to see if I was up for coming in for the friendly match. I didn’t know I was going to get to play but I got 30 minutes. It was an amazing experience for a young lad.”

He went onto firmly establish himself in the Airdrie side in 2011 with Jimmy Boyle as the manager and then under Gary Bollan and Eddie Wolecki Black. During this time he appreciated seeing first-hand the developing talent of then team-mate and now Celtic player Gary Mackay-Steven.

Although Jamie was awarded the Young Player of the Year accolade his main achievement at Airdrie came through battling the drop rather than reaching the top of the table. “At Airdrie I was not part of any promotion winning sides but the most special season was when we were on the brink of relegation in 2012. We knew if we could win six or seven games we could make the promotion play-offs. We achieved that and reached the final but unfortunately were beaten by Dumbarton. However due to Rangers going into the Third Division Airdrie were promoted as play-off final runners up.  That was a stand-out year because of the way we fought our way out of a really tricky position.  Now it’s a different challenge at Forfar with high expectations around the club but we still need to battle hard which is something I love to do.”

First signed for Airdrie as a right back, Jamie laughs when recounting how as the years went on Gary pushed him forward to right midfield, left midfield and even played him at centre midfield. Jamie remembers saying to his manager, “The only two positions you’ve not played me in are goalkeeper and striker. ‘You never know it might happen yet’ came the reply.”   You get the impression that Jamie would do whatever the gaffer requires such is his commitment to the team effort and his affable nature.

His positive outlook on life can unquestionably be credited to the support he received from his family during his formative years and continues to be given in the present day.  “My love for the game began when I spent time with my papa (Victor Carr) and watching my uncle (Victor Carr jnr) playing amateur football.”  The affection Jamie has for his maternal grandfather is clear when he speaks about his influence. “My papa would take me to the park every Saturday morning from around the age of five to run about with a ball and the family’s Westie terrier.   I have always said that my papa was a massive influence on me as a person and on my career. He is ‘old school’ – with him you either give 100% or you shouldn’t bother. He asked me to show commitment and he certainly showed commitment to me in return when I went through a tough time and had to decide whether to stick with football or turn to golf. My papa had a big say in me sticking with football and I am glad I followed that path. He still comes to watch me when he can which I appreciate.”

Jamie’s dad, Mark, and grandad, Gordon, also try to make it along to watch Jamie whenever they can. “My dad has also been a huge support to me even when I was being huffy and arguing with him as young lads do.  I have to give him respect for putting up with all that!”  As for Mum, Lynn, she also spends much of her spare time following Jamie, sometimes with his sister Caitlyn. “My mum goes everywhere to see me play. She was at Berwick last week, on her own in rain. Some might think she is mad turning up at out of the way places to watch me play but I have an enormous amount of love for her and her dedication and I know how fortunate I am to have my family’s support.”   The Airdrie family connection continues with young cousin, Jordan Duncan, a member of the Airdrie Development squad. “He’s doing really well at Airdrie but if I had to say who was better at age 17 I’d obviously say me!”

When not playing football Jamie works in Cumbernauld for Sparks Mechanical Services and he is appreciative of their support. “I am really grateful to my bosses for allowing me to work around my football - leaving early and getting time off to attend midweek games and to recover after late trips back home. I’d struggle to play and work without their support.”

 So is Jamie the dressing room’s main joker? No but he does like to cheer people up. “Andy Munro is the team comedian ... or at least he likes to think he is. The lads are usually laughing at him rather than with him!  I enjoy a laugh too and if anyone is a bit down in the dumps especially after losing a game I like to make sure they get back up and move on from it in a positive frame of mind.”

It is soon apparent in speaking to Jamie why Gary was determined to make, ‘Baino’ his first signing of the summer. A great deal of credit should go to Jamie for settling in so well with Forfar and hitting it off with the fans from the outset. He exudes a real positive energy and his commitment level shines through. He is certainly determined to go about his football in a positive manner and to also encourage those around him to achieve their best.  Undoubtedly Jamie is one of the reasons the team have made such an encouraging start to the new season.  So while for Jamie Bain diamonds are sometimes not forever, on the evidence of his commitment and form to date, he looks set to bring quite a bit of sparkle to Station Park over the next two years – many would say he’s a right good diamond geezer.

Jamie Bain was in conversation with Louise Taylor for the match day programme v Elgin City on 27 August 2016.