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Cowboys Who Rob The Sick And Dying But Never See A Jail (from Scottish Sunday)

Football: Fallen star takes the university challenge

By Dominic O'Reilly

The FA Cup always throws up great stories, but a former Scotland youth international playing for an English university coached by an octogenarian Welshman in this Saturday's first round has got to be one of the strangest. Team Bath came through five qualifying rounds to become the first university side for 122 years to play in the competition proper. They were helped by the coaching skills of Ivor Powell, an 86-year-old former Welsh international who was Stanley Matthews' best man, and the goals of Barry Lavety ... yes, that Barry Lavety.

A Surprising Journey

The once-rising star of Scottish football, Barry Lavety, has taken a surprising journey from the professional ranks to studying at Bath University. Lavety, who encountered weight problems, injuries, and an infamous positive test for ecstasy, dropped out of the pro ranks and found himself playing for Team Bath in the Screwfix Direct Western Football League. The team scouts talented players who have drifted out of the professional game and offers them both a route back and an education.

A Unique Opportunity

Team Bath is not just a bunch of academics who got lucky. They are a semi-professional outfit based at a center of sporting excellence. The university offers 11 sports, including football, and their sportsmen have brought back 17 medals from this year's Commonwealth Games. The university's football team facing Mansfield in front of the Sky cameras for the FA Cup game is a huge day for the university.

Unexpected Success

Barry Lavety, who scored a hat-trick in the second qualifying round, is amazed at the media coverage and attention the team has received during their FA Cup run. He explains that usually, the league games are very quiet, but the cup run has brought out more students to support the team. Despite the difficult match against Mansfield, Lavety believes that if they play to their capabilities, there is a chance for success.

From Footballer to Student

Lavety's decision to study at Bath University was motivated by the lack of financial security in Scottish football. Looking for better opportunities and a chance to further his education, he decided to pursue a Coach Education course. Lavety admits that many friends and family were surprised by his choice to live in a quiet corner of England and play for a college side. But he is proud to be a part of a unique university with world-class facilities and academic achievements.

Hope for the Future

While Lavety admits that he would like to play on a greater stage in his football career, he is currently focused on enjoying himself and playing football every day with a good group of teammates, managers, and coaches. He acknowledges that his career may not have fulfilled its initial promise, but he looks back without bitterness and takes pride in the accomplishments he achieved.

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