Jack Iredale has become the toast of half of Edinburgh after some outstanding performances this season for Hibernian.
The 28-year-old netted the winner for the side against Hearts at their most recent derby with a second half volley that left him speechless.
He’s a young man with plenty of Cumbrian connections, too, with his father brought up in Workington while Jack himself spent a short time with Carlisle United.
His dad, Paul, is the only son of Harry and Ivy Iredale.
Harry was electrician at the steelworks after serving in the RAF during the war while Ivy was matron at Rosecroft care home for many years.
Paul got divorced and moved up to Scotland where he met and married his second wife Fiona who represented Scotland in the Olympic Games.
So Jack started his football career in Scotland and then they moved to Perth, Australia where young Jack continued his football career with Perth Glory.
He then moved back to Scotland and played for Greenock Morton (37) and 14 on loan at Queen’s Park.
He signed for Carlisle in 2019 and that season played 22 times with two goals before joining Cambridge United for two years where he played 73 times with five goals.
He then moved to Bolton where he appeared 51 times scoring three times.
When he was struggling to get a regular start at Bolton he signed for Hibs last year where he is certainly making a name for himself
He has had to do it the hard way, too. At 12 he was diagnosed with type one diabetes. Before he turned 18, he’d suffered three cruciate knee injuries after 10 years it’s been quite an effort to become a successful professional footballer.
Iredale has been a revelation for David Gray’s side in their recent Premiership resurgence with some special goals, including the derby winner against Hearts.
Next thing on the cards could be a call-up to the Australian senior squad after five appearances for the Under 17s in 2012. That really would cap a special season – in more way than one.
