At every level of the senior game these days, local players making the grade are increasingly rare.
When one does crop up, the benefit for them is usually the extra affinity supporters feel for the hometown boy.
But there can be a down side. When times are bad, as they live their lives away from football, those who are based near their home ground can bear the brunt of fans’ disappointment.
It’s the lack of the latter, however, that’s left Dundonian Simon Murray more determined than ever to do all he can to make sure Dundee United get back to where the punters feel they should be as quickly as possible.
Murray is pleased to report the overwhelming vibe from Arabs in the weeks that have followed relegation from the Premiership has been one of encouragement.
“The disappointment has been through the whole season and that’s just the way it is.
“When you get stick, you have to take it on the chin because it’s fair — we didn’t do well,” he said.
“But because of the last few games when we did well, had a few young boys in the team and the displays were good, I think there is more of a feeling of optimism now.
“People are looking forward to next season a bit more and, with the performances of the young boys and the new manager coming in, there has been a silver lining there, even though it was a terrible season.
“Most of the fans I’ve spoken to have been saying they want us to do well and it spurs you on. You want to do well for the fans because they deserve it.
“I’ve got a lot of friends who are United fans and they’ve been wanting to see the younger boys given their chance. Now they have, they’re feeling optimistic as well.”
On a personal level, the 24-year-old admits five goals in the final five games of the campaign, four of which saw him start, gave him a boost.
There was also frustration that his run of games didn’t come earlier but, like many of the fans he talks about, he’s focusing on the positives.
“I was happy with the way I finished the season when I got few games in a row and managed to get a few goals.
“Before that, I never really had a run of games.
“When I did, I felt I showed I had something to offer the team.
“It was a bit frustrating I didn’t get that wee run before.
“I was only maybe getting 15 or 20 minutes here and there and, being in my first full year, I couldn’t expect too much.
“I was crying out to play every week but I didn’t pick the team.
“That’s not being critical because you respect the manager’s decision but you always want to play and you always make sure you’re ready to.”
And his aim now is to make sure under new boss Ray McKinnon he maintains that level of involvement.
He wants to be doing his bit to get United back up quickly and that means his time off is very much a working holiday.
“I’m off just now but it’s not really a holiday because I’ve been going to the gym every day.
“Even when I go off on holiday I’ll be doing work and I’ve checked there’s a gym I can use while I’m away.
“All this is still new to me and I’m determined to make the most of the chance United gave me when I went full-time.
“I will make sure I’m ready and, although it’s not where we want to be, I’m looking forward to next season.
“Hopefully, I can just continue my run of goals from end of last season.”
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