by Alex Beilman, contributor
FC Buffalo first year player Johnny McBeth has been earning a lot of attention from teammates and coaches with his play on the pitch this season.
Despite coming in as a forward, the Scottish international has looked right at home as a left back. He also scored the Blitzers’ first goal of the season from the left wing in a win over Erie.
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McBeth’s ability to create and finish opportunities has made him a useful player in the club’s push for the playoffs. However, he’s also getting attention in the dressing room for what he creates off the pitch: candy.
“I’m old school. When I went home for Christmas, my dad taught me a family recipe of Scottish tablet,” McBeth said.
Scottish tablet is a traditional Scottish candy, known for its brittle texture and fudge-like taste. It is made primarily from sugar, condensed milk and butter, but each family usually has their own variation of the recipe.
“It’s been done in my family now for years. My grandpa passed it down to my dad and my dad passed it down to me.”
McBeth did not reveal his family’s secret recipe, but the young footballer has been very pleased with the reception his tablet has received from teammates, coaches and team staff.
“He told me just to try my luck, and I’ve done pretty well baking old school with it,” McBeth said. “When we were traveling to Detroit, I brought some there and they seemed to like it.”
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“He asked me if I thought it was an ok idea, and I thought absolutely,” head coach Brendan Murphy said. “He does an unbelievable job. I think people would love it if they gave it a try. Where else are you going to get Scottish tablet here in Buffalo?”
McBeth’s tablet has also helped him and his teammates connect. With players from a number of different cultures on the squad, it can be difficult to find ways to bridge the gap and break the ice initially. The team has found food to be a universal language.
“I think it does a ton for team building, it gives guys a chance to get to know each other on a different level,” Murphy said. “It’s a lot of different cultures and they bring their own identity. When you walk in the players’ house, you can smell it. You can smell the different food cooking and I think it’s a great way for them to share a personal touch with each other that you wouldn’t get just coming to practice.”
It can be difficult for McBeth to connect with his teammates over normal dinners, as he is a vegetarian, so being able to share his homemade desert helps bridge that gap as well.
“We’re all together. It’s all a good laugh. Its little things that help,” McBeth said. “I’m a vegetarian so none of the boys really eat what I eat. I am hoping Brian (Paredes) is able to make me something.”
McBeth is happy to help the squad out as much as he can, and he expressed hope that he continues to do that with his play and with his dessert making abilities.
“I’m trying my luck in Buffalo. I’m hoping it sort of picks up. Some of the foreigners who never tried it before, and especially the Americans loved it.”
