DUMBARTON’S Mark Docherty has picked up the SPFL Player of the Month award for December.

The midfielder was an integral part of the Sons’ fortunes as they picked up 10 points out of 15 last month.

That included wins against Queen of the South, Falkirk and Dundee United in which Docherty scored the winning goal.

But it could have all been very different for the 28-year-old, who had a choice to become a footballer or boxer at age 16.

He said: “I boxed down at the Barn Boxing Club in Coatbridge, I boxed down there for a number of years

“I boxed at a good level, won a lot of amateur titles and could have turned professional.

“When I signed for St Mirren I had a choice to make when I was 16 – do I go down the boxing route or the football route?

“I think my dad would have rather I went down the boxing route. He regularly says that.”

But Sons fans will be thankful Docherty picked the footballing route, with his versatility over the last few months being key to Dumbarton’s efforts.

He has filled in at left-back, centre-half and central midfield but juggling numerous roles is something he’s used to, working full-time, playing football and taking care of his son.

He added: “I still work full-time at St Phillip’s School, a school for kids with emotional difficulties and behavioural difficulties who don’t manage mainstream schools, and it’s also a residential place so we’ve got boys who come not just for their education and we’ve got boys that stay there and go to school there.

“I’m away at half seven, eight o’clock to take my wee boy to nursery, I go to work, pick him up and then I get my dinner in and then I’m away to training. It’s a big commitment but I’ve been part-time for a number of years now so I’m used to it.”

And Docherty had the chance to return to full-time football last year when Livingston came in, but said financially it wasn’t a risk worth taking for himself.

The former Alloa player said: “For players who are part-time, picking up a good wage and obviously working, then it’s difficult for clubs sometimes, because Scottish football is not really in a great position financially.

“Personally I was actually better off staying part-time and I did, because financially it didn’t make sense for me lose my job and go to Livingston. Mark Burchill was the manager and he was desperate to get me in.

“For me to do that I would have had to take a big drop in wages and I just had my wee boy and just moved house.”

And with their strong performances in December, With Sons manager Stevie Aitken also picking up an award, Docherty said it was a credit to their players as they look to survive for another season in the Championship.

He added: “For part-time players its totally different, a lot of people maybe don’t get the respect they deserve for part-time players because it’s hard work, and to only have that few hours a week.“It’s a credit to the boys that are part-time in this league and are actually competing.

“It’s only us and Ayr at the minute and I know Alloa were the only other part-time team in the league last year.

“So to stay up, which is ultimately Dumbarton’s aim, you must finish above a full-time team.

“It’s difficult and we obviously did it last year which was a great achievement to finish above Livingston.

“To stay up this year, which again has got to be the aim with the squad, it’s tough but it’s definitely achievable.

“We’ve put ourselves in a good position now and we’re just hoping to kick on.”