STUART ARMSTRONG’S £7million summer switch to Southampton has landed his former Boys’ Club a six-figure windfall.
The Scotland midfielder moved from the champions after four seasons – and that was good news for the team he joined as a starry-eyed kid.
Under FIFA regulations, Dyce Boys Club will receive a financial reward and club treasurer Len Nicol revealed the outfit did expect such a bonanza and was reeling when the amount was revealed.
He said: “We are in a state of shock. We never dreamt how much it would be. We heard news of the transfer just before it was announced and we knew that there would be a payment. But I nearly dropped the phone when I heard how much it was.
“Although I’ve seen the bank statement it really is hard to believe. This money will help sustain the club for years and we will be able to invest it back into the local community.
“It is just wonderful that money can flow through to the grassroots to help us produce the next Stuart Armstrong and, more importantly, to help ensure lots of kids in the areas can enjoy their football.”
Armstrong, 25, said: “I owe a lot to the coaches and volunteers at Dyce Boys Club. I joined the club when I was 13 years old and spent five happy years there.
“It was great to meet up with the club committee last week in Edinburgh. They brought some old photographs with them and we reminisced about my time at the club.
“I’m really proud that the move to Southampton has triggered a payment to the club as it was a great place for me to learn and enjoy my football while I was growing up.
“They will put the money to good use to help ensure that more and more young players in the area can enjoy their football.”
