Sons of Struth kids live the dream on Benfica trip with Rangers heroes

Craig Houston had counted them all out. Once he had counted them all back in again, he too could head out into the chilled night air at the end of a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Picture: Angus Blacklock Youth Football Scotland

Houston had done his bit, and then some, and the Sons of Struth continue to provide opportunities and experiences as they go from strength to strength.

What started as a protest group during the battle for control at Ibrox has become an innovative academy, an organisation that is as driven as any professional body in the country.

READ MORE: Sons of Struth set for academy expansion after 'phenomenal' Benfica trip

To come up with the idea of taking a club almost 200 strong to Benfica for the day is quite something. To pull it off, and to do so as seemingly seamlessly, is a remarkable feat, even if Houston describes events like a swan moving gracefully across the water whilst the frantic action unfolds out of sight and under the surface.

Picture: Sons of Struth / Smart Aviation

When check-in opened the previous morning, the six months of planning almost crumbled as a Covid curveball threatened to leave a handful of kids stranded on home soil whilst their peers were put through their paces under the Lisbon sun.

That issue was only solved in the hours before the return to Glasgow as 20 players completed the required negative tests in the closing stages of a trip that will live long in the memory. Whatever each one goes on to achieve, they will always have Lisbon.

Houston and his volunteer staff had left no stone unturned. When the doors to the Boeing 737 - operated by leading sports charter firm Smart Aviation- were latched, he could sit back and take stock against the Sons of Struth branded headrests that adorned every seat.

Picture: Sons of Struth / Smart Aviation

His job, to an extent, was done but the pieces - put into place with the assistance of a list too long to name - still had to be placed. That process was never in doubt.

The emotion would overcome Houston later in the day. While his players – aged between six and 14 - were coached on the lush green surfaces of the Benfica Campus, he walked back up the dusty path towards the exit to take in the true scale of what the Sons of Struth had achieved.

At the side of the park, he left Rangers royalty behind to watch the action. Willie Henderson and Gordon Smith – referred to as ‘Mr Henderson’ and ‘Mr Smith’ throughout by those too young to have ever seen them grace Ibrox – accompanied players, coaches, parents and guests to Portugal and their support for the academy was as invaluable as their insight.

Picture: Angus Blacklock Youth Football Scotland

One youngster, aged just seven-years-old, caught Henderson’s eye. Like the former winger, he was diminutive in stature but had skill and confidence that defied his height and Rangers have already taken him into their setup at Auchenhowie.

At 77, Henderson remains as sharp as ever and the trip was an emotional experience for the Ibrox hero as he returned to the city where his great friend Eusebio became a legend.

Henderson has a story or anecdote from his playing career for every moment. He is engaging in conversation, and it is better to listen than speak as the travails of Baxter, di Stefano, Puskas and, of course, Eusebio are recalled with clarity and humour.

On the bus from the airport to the Benfica Campus – one of five luxury coaches laid on and which had a Sons of Struth scarf draped across the windscreen – he tells of how the Portuguese legend managed to carry a case of Rosé wine through Glasgow airport customs having told security staff ‘it is for my friend, Willie Henderson’ upon his arrival in Scotland.

Picture: Angus Blacklock Youth Football Scotland

Before Henderson takes his seat on the same bus later in the day, he is presented with two mementos that it is clear he will cherish. The first is a Eusebio tribute scarf that was purchased by Houston, while the second is a Benfica shirt sourced by club staff after the link between Henderson and their most famous son was explained during a tour of the Estadio da Luz.

It was in the shadow of the wonderful arena that the SoS teams were put through another training session under the guidance of the Benfica academy staff. The skill level naturally varied, but the enthusiasm and commitment was clear to see.

Whatever the aspirations of each player, the setting was inspiring. A statute of Eusebio stands at the front door, while the museum tour emphasises the stature of one of Europe’s most successful clubs as the trophies and trinkets glisten in the lights around a central display that rises through the three floors of history.

Picture: Angus Blacklock Youth Football Scotland

A partnership with Coerver – the Dutch-inspired coaching school – has been integral to the growth of the Sons of Struth in recent years and regional head Lance Pearce would join the trip. Alongside him where Jim Simonette of the Jimmy Johnstone Foundation and Jim Strathdee of Glasgow Girls.

The tales of Jinky – in both a Celtic and Scotland capacity – permeate the afternoon and a light-hearted jibe towards Simonette of ‘here’s the real Lisbon lion’ arrives when Struthi, the SoS mascot, makes an appearance on the flight out to city where legends were made.

There were no medals handed out on this occasion, but the memories are just as valuable to those that travelled. In the back of Houston’s mind were the ones who – for a variety of reasons – were unable to make it onto the plane.

Picture: Sons of Struth / Smart Aviation

The Sons of Struth will attempt to make it up to them in the coming weeks and Henderson – who parted with an instruction of ‘just phone me, Craig, whenever you want anything’ – and Smith will be involved, alongside other famous faces, in the future of the academy.

The volunteer coaches would soak up the messages from Smith throughout the day as the former player, agent and Scottish FA chief executive cherished the chance to get back on the training pitch once again. Smith had previously witnessed the SoS teams in action and his presence added to the occasion for those who returned to Glasgow bleary-eyed.

They had spent their last hours on foreign soil reliving the highlights of the day, battling to keep their heads up whilst lying scattered on the floor. The energy levels had drained from a group who were a credit to themselves and to each other.

Picture: Angus Blacklock Youth Football Scotland

Before the last leg of the journey home could begin, there was the greeting that they deserved, albeit one which caught them unawares. It was the hero’s welcome.

Time will tell if they ever get that experience again. Whatever the future holds, they have lived the dream for one day at least.