Blair Sturrock is following a well-worn path in football - and one that is more difficult than most. Stephen Clemence, Jamie Redknapp, Sam Shilton and Mark Cooper, to name but a few, are players who have had to cope with the additional pressure of having a famous dad who played football at the highest level. Sturrock's father - Paul - was a Scottish international and is currently in the process of reviving Sheffield Wednesday's fortunes. But Sturrock junior is proving his worth in his own right as he bids to help save Kidderminster Harriers from the dreaded drop into the Conference. The 23-year-old former Dundee United and Plymouth Argyle front man has started his Kidderminster career in sensational style with three goals in five games and Harriers fans will be hoping that Sturrock solves their chronic goals shortage and proves to be the saviour in their relegation scrap. The centre forward hadn't scored a league goal since September 2002 until he opened his Kidderminster account at the first attempt on Boxing Day in the 5-1 defeat against Swansea. He followed that up with crucial strikes against Oxford and Lincoln and Sturrock will be hoping that 2005 brings him a change of fortune after a tough 2004. Sturrock has already had four loan or trial spells this season at Swansea, Wycombe, Northampton and Bristol Rovers and didn't play a single game at any club. But he finally found a home at Aggborough under Stuart Watkiss after they snapped him up from Plymouth for the rest of the campaign. And Sturrock told Ian Clarkson of givemefootball that he intends to repay Watkiss' faith in the best way possible.
Q:IT HAS BEEN A GREAT START TO YOUR CAREER AT KIDDERMINTER HASN'T IT?
A:Three goals in five games makes it a great start for me and I am really excited about the rest of the season. After the year I have just had I want to really enjoy my football. I hope both Kidderminster and myself can have a change of luck.
Q:CAN THE TEAM SURVIVE THIS SEASON?
A:If we play like we did against Oxford and Lincoln then we will have more than enough to survive this season. We had a really good shape about us against Oxford and even though they had a lot of possession they didn't look like scoring. We came back well against Lincoln and had to be solid because they are a difficult team to play against.
Q:IS THIS A CHANCE TO PROVE YOURSELF AGAIN?
A:I have got a contract until the end of the season and the most important issue for me is to make sure that we stay in the Football League. It has been a tough year for me, as I haven't played any games for whatever reasons. I had a few injuries and missed virtually a year, but I feel great now and I really want to make my mark.
Q:WAS IT EXTRA HARD TO MAKE YOUR MARK WHEN THE MANAGER IS YOUR DAD - AS WAS THE CASE AT PLYMOUTH?
A:My dad reckoned he should have played me more often when he was manager at Plymouth, but he always made it hard for me. It is a little bit tougher if your dad is the manager, but I have more than proved myself as a player during my career.
Q:HE CERTAINLY GAVE YOU A TOUGH INITIATION AS YOU WERE SENT OUT ON LOAN TO LEARN YOUR TRADE WHILE AT DUNDEE UNITED?
A:I was sent out to Brechin City on loan when I was a youngster at Dundee United and that really toughened me up. I played with good players like Roddy Grant and I got bashed about a wee bit against some really big bruisers. But it really benefited me and I am certainly used to scrapping and battling for points. I am relishing the challenge ahead with Kidderminster and I am sure we can be successful.
