Cry me a river, here's another one: Jack Hamilton, the celebrated 24-year old Scottish footballer, currently best known for missing opportunities while leading Raith Rover's front line as a striker. A less than awe-inspiring figure standing at 6ft 1in (1.87m) and weighing in at 12st 8lb (80kg), the lad confidently dons the prestigious number 9 jersey. Should you feel the need for further proof of the modern game's inflation, behold: Hamilton's market value is reportedly a pulsating £240k, according to those skilled number crunchers at Transfermarkt. In the meantime, Raith Rovers have managed to wring a further 1 year and 4 months out of his contract, set to run dry on 31 May 2026.
Cast your mind back to the glory days of 2017, Hamilton was young and full of ambition as he joined Livingston as a trainee. His early career was peppered with a slew of loan spells, including stints at Berwick Rangers, Alloa Athletic, Queen of the South, East Fife and - wait for it - Arbroath. No less than two jaunts around Arbroath, mind you. I can't fathom why.
Amid all these ramblings, Hamilton managed to find himself back at Livingston occasionally. In his multitude of stays, he mustered a grand total of 1 goal each during his 2018-2019 and 2020-2021 seasons and latched onto a grand total of zero during the 2021-2022 season. Riveting stuff.
In a wildly unexpected move in 2022, Hamilton ventured south of the border to England's National League, at Hartlepool United, where Hamilton made 24 appearances and scored the princely sum of 2 goals. But fear not, Hamilton found his way back to Scotland, first with an encore engagement at Arbroath and then gliding into Raith Rovers' clutches in 2023.
In his debut season at Raith Rovers during 2023-2024, Hamilton managed to up his game, scoring seven goals. And in the current 2024-2025 season, he's sitting on three goals from 13 appearances, suggesting he might just about match his previous season's form. It truly is a rollercoaster ride of mediocrity.
Let's not forget his brief forays in the League Cup 2024 - 2025, and the Prem. Play-offs 2023 - 2024 for Raith Rovers; in which he produced one goal in two starts, and a zero in one start, respectively. What can I say, Hamilton's career has been something of a never-ending Scottish footballing odyssey, leaving a trail of goals that can be counted on the fingers of a careless sawmill worker.
