“David is going to the World Cup, David is going to the World Cup...”
Ian and Sheila Wotherspoon repeat the words over and over again to make the most wonderful piece of news sink in.
Their son David had not long been on the phone to reveal the latest chapter of his football success story and confirm that his ultimate boyhood dream was coming true.
The 32-year-old St Johnstone midfielder, who grew up in Aberargie, went to Abernethy Primary School before moving to Bridge of Earn and then later attended Perth High School, has earned selection to the Canadian World Cup squad.
Wotherspoon qualifies to play for Canada through mum Sheila, who was born in Winnipeg.
“It is hard to put into words,” Sheila said. “I am so filled with pride for him and I did burst into tears when I spoke to him.
“We have been waiting in anticipation to hear if he was going or not. It was really great to get the good news.
“I still have cousins over in Canada. They will be rooting for David and are so proud of him.
“And my dad, especially, because he worked out in Canada when he was young. He is really proud of what David has achieved.”
Wotherspoon has been involved in the Canada set-up since 2018 and quickly impressed head coach John Herdman. His road to the World Cup was not a straightforward one, though.
A gutting cruciate knee injury last November threatened to scrap his dream completely. But day by day, week by week, month by month, he worked to return to full fitness. And he did in perfect time.
“We are so proud of him because he has never moaned or groaned since he got the injury,” delighted dad Ian said.
“He just wanted to get back to football. Whether with St Johnstone or Canada.
“You would not think he has been away from the game for so long. He has picked up from where he left off.
“A lot needs to be said for the physios, the advice he has been given and Callum Davidson. He kept him on the right track.
“I always hoped he would be going. I had a positive attitude. And when David said he was going, I burst into tears. They were running down my face. It was emotional.
“He is over the moon too of course but he wasn’t wanting to get ahead of himself. He’s kept his feet on the ground.”
Following the announcement, Ian and Sheila have quickly pieced together travel plans and will head to Qatar.
Ian said: “We’re going to fly out a week on Tuesday.
“I think we’ll only be a 15 minute drive away from where he is staying. They might get a little bit of downtime.
“We need to keep saying to ourselves that it’s the World Cup. Imagine he plays against Messi.
“If he gets on the pitch, the Spoony chop will become worldwide!”
Of course, Ian and Sheila had been inundated with good luck messages from local people hoping that Wotherspoon was going to get the nod. It showed how much everyone cared and that was special.
“I spoke to Atholl Henderson and Alistair Stevenson the other week,” Sheila smiled. “I bumped into them and they were really hoping David was going to the World Cup. It is so nice to hear that.”
As Canada’s tournament opener against Belgium on November 23 draws ever closer, perhaps the reality of it all will start to sink in more.
“Personally, I don’t think David has realised what he has achieved,” Ian said. “He doesn’t know the magnitude of it.
“Maybe it will sink in when he lands over there right enough. You need to appreciate what life offers and how precious it is.
“We never thought in our wildest dreams that our wee laddie with a St Johnstone strip on would be at the World Cup.”
