NOT GIVING UP
I was Rangers’ youngest ever league player but haven’t played for 19 months – now I’m training alone to find a new club
He now has a new career - but isn't giving up on returning to football
WHEN he made his Rangers debut, he made history.
But a cruel series of injuries prevented him from building on that history.
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Still only 27, his most recent fitness issue has kept him out of the game for 19 MONTHS - though he hasn't given up on his recovery.
Tom Walsh made his Ibrox debut against Stirling Albion in December 2012 at 16 years and 150 days old.
In doing so he became the youngest player in the post-war to make his league debut for Gers and the second youngest to make his debut in any competitive game for the club, behind only Derek Ferguson.
The following season however, the talented winger picked up an ankle knock then suffered from a recurring hamstring problem which kept him out of the side and stunted his development as a player.
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Fighting injuries would become something of a recurring theme for Walsh, now 27, but he remains determined to keep going and has bravely faced each setback head on.
He spent time on loan at Stenhousemuir to build up his fitness in the 2014-15 season and was rewarded with a run of games under then-Rangers boss Stuart McCall.
But the next season he was out on loan again at Dumbarton, with another short stint on loan at St Mirren the following year.
Walsh was released by Rangers in 2017 and moved to Ireland to play for Limerick.
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He soon returned to sign for Dumbarton on a permanent basis and began to rebuild his career with the Scottish Championship side, scoring three goals in 41 games during the 2017-18 campaign.
Walsh then made the switch to Inverness Caledonian Thistle where he had two years of regular football before moving to Ayr United, near to his hometown of Troon.
I got huge one-off payment when I made Rangers debut at 17 - I didn't play well but must've been top paid star in Britain
He helped keep the Honest Men in the division, playing 18 games and scoring three times, and rejoined Caley in 2021.
Walsh sustained a knee injury in the summer of 2022 but in his first game back for Caley in the new season against Morton on August 27, he tore his cruciate ligament.
To this day, Walsh is yet to return to the football pitch.
After his contract expired at Inverness he became a free agent and again, no-one would have criticised him for calling it a day there and then.
But he continued to work on his rehab and even started his own personal training business.
Walsh now helps others who aspire to improve their fitness, working out of the Rize gym in Troon.
All the while, he has worked towards a return to football himself.
It's hard to believe that not so long ago he was plying his trade for one of the top clubs in Scotland's second tier.
But after months of gruelling workouts to regain his own fitness and strength, Walsh shared videos of himself kicking a ball again.
Just like he would have as a youngster, Walsh is seen kicking a ball off a wall and practising his footwork in his back garden.
He said in a Twitter (X) post: "This is how a full knee rehab session looks for me. I’ve lost count how many times I’ve done this over the last 18 months but it’s important for my daily life and if I want to have any chance of getting back playing football."
He added: "Working as a PT, taking on clients of all capabilities, either in the gym, online or running. If anyone would like to work with me, I’d be delighted to help pass on the experience I’ve gained over the years and help you work towards your individual goals!"
After joining Rize to work as a PT, he said: "I’m delighted to be joining the team at Rize and helping to build on what is already a fast growing team of people who are helping others reach their goals and to feel great mentally, as well as physically.
"I’m looking to help people get stronger, fitter and build their confidence in their daily life after they’ve left the gym.
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"I have over 10 years experience of playing full time football and being in a gym environment and I’m looking forward to passing on knowledge that I’ve picked up along the way.
"I want to help people, whether it’s starting or continuing their fitness journey."
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