Growing up Hibs mad and attending his first game at the age of three, the youngster wasn’t sure what lay ahead for him.
Little did he know that sitting at the top of the West Stand with his dad, Gavin, was the start of what could be an unbelievable journey for him and his family.
Fast forward six years and there was that first special moment for Jack and the start of an adventure at his club when he joined the Academy.
“When I moved to the Academy, it was a dream true and I’ve never taken it for granted,” said Jack, who caught the eye in a two-week Under-18s training camp in Portugal prior to lockdown in 2020.
“Now being with the First Team has just taken everything to a whole new level. It’s still mental for me being with all the First Team players because as a little boy I grew up as a Hibs fan watching a lot of them from the stands.”
Another eight years on from that and through a combination of incredible dedication and hard work, Jack found himself training with the players he idolised; the likes of Paul Hanlon, Lewis Stevenson and Darren McGregor.
“When you’re a Hibs fan you think the players are all superheroes. When they’re with you at HTC, they’re all really nice,” said the youngster.
“They want to get to know me and help my development. They are just all really normal guys.
“In training I’m mainly working alongside Daz (Darren McGregor) and he’s helped me a lot. He’s talking me through games, showing me little things. I’ve been picking Paul’s brains and stayed behind after sessions with him to work on heading; he’s given me tips, too.”
After putting in all that work with the development squad coaches, Jack’s first ‘pinch himself’ moment occurred.
Instead of being sat watching his team on the pitch, he was playing with them featuring in our 3-1 friendly win at Raith Rovers in July.
“When I came on against Raith it was mad,” beamed Jack. “Before I came on, I felt good and ready, then when I went on the pitch and the fans were clapping and I was on the same pitch as the First Team players I almost had to throw cold water over myself to make sure it was all real!
“You grow up as a Hibs fan, then you step out onto the field with those players, and you think ‘is this really happening?’”
And soon after, his journey continued being sat on the bench at Easter Road and travelling away to Andorra and Croatia with the First Team squad.
“Croatia stands out for me, apart from the heat (and, of course, the loss), it was really good for me. The atmosphere in the stadium was unbelievable,” said Jack “We didn’t get the result we wanted, but I will treasure that experience forever. Not many people can say they’ve been in the Hibs squad for a European match!”
But for Jack, his main focus remains the same. He knows if he wants to break into the First Team set up, then he has to continue working hard every day.
“Being young it’s been a dream come true really. I never expected to be with the First Team this early in my development. Now I have to stop feeling star-struck or out of place,” admitted Jack. “It’s been really strange, and I can’t believe it, but I’m loving the experience. And once the surreal feeling fades, I will hopefully start to feel I belong at this level.”
Hopefully one day, ambitious and amicable Jack will be walking out in front of the Easter Road faithful, whilst his proud dad and family members watch on from the very top of the West Stand.
