Awkward moment Simon Ferry tried to convince Steven Fletcher to play for East Kilbride – only to receive brutal response
SIMON FERRY thought he would chance his arm and try to convince former Scotland star Steven Fletcher to give non-league football a shot.
They say shy boys don't get sweets - but the response Ferry did get from his pal left him totally red-faced.
Fletcher, 36, had been a free agent for the duration of the summer transfer window after leaving Dundee United by mutual consent at the end of last season after their relegation from the top flight.
Ferry, 35, currently assistant boss at East Kilbride, saw the ex-Hibs, Sunderland and Stoke striker out of work and reached out to offer him a game or two in the fifth tier of the Scottish football pyramid.
Kilby were low on numbers in attack due to suspensions and after the team's Lowland League clash against Linlithgow Rose, Ferry sent Fletcher a quick text.
Little did he know, Fletcher would only go and sign for Hollywood-backed Wrexham within the next 24 hours - snubbing Pie & Bovril for Ryan Reynolds & Rob McElhenney.
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Ferry told the Open Goal podcast: "We (East Kilbride) had just played Linlithgow Rose and our striker was still suspended for Saturday's game.
"So I text Fletch saying 'Listen mate, I know you're above this level...'
"But he'd said to me 'I want to keep fit in case I get an opportunity'.
"So I said 'If you want to keep fit, come in, you might enjoy it. You can maybe play a couple of games as a trialist just to get your fitness up and then you can go somewhere else. Give us a shout.'"
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Ferry didn't receive a reply that night, and was left stunned when the footie ace eventually did get back to him.
"I got a text the next morning, half seven in the morning," continued Ferry, before revealing the cringe-inducing response.
"'Was that meant for me mate?'" was the brutal reply he received.
Ferry saw the funny side however, playing up to the don't ask, don't get motto.
When fellow podcaster and ex-pro James McFadden told Ferry "I love your ambition," he said "Yeah, why not mate, you've got to brass neck it a wee bit."
Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page