SPFL in focus: Jordan Moore nets a brace

Dundee United striker Jordan Moore is out on loan to Queen's Park. Picture: SNS

After twice seeing off skin cancer, Moore took a major step towards re-branding himself.

He said: “I want to be known as Jordan Moore the goalscorer now, not Jordan Moore the cancer survivor or Jordan Moore who had cancer and had a hell of a time. I just want to be known for my goals.”

“This was the first time I have played at Hampden and I could not have asked for much more. Hopefully, I will get to play in a final for United here at some point in my career.”

Moore added: “My last competitive game was exactly a year ago when I played for Dunfermline against Rangers. I have had a few bounce games but nothing serious, so it was great to be  playing again and scoring.”

“There were ten months from January to October where I did not train too much. It is only the past few weeks that I have got back into things properly and I will keep training with United as well as one night a week with Queen’s Park.”

The move to the League 2 side was an easy one to make for Moore, who has had loan spells at Airdrie and Dunfermline in the past.

He added: “I signed a contract extension with United six months ago until next summer. I am in United’s plans for next season so this is all about getting games and scoring goals.”

“Jackie McNamara told me that Queen’s Park were interested last week and it was an  opportunity to go and play.”

A host of former Spiders told him to go for it. “I spoke to Andrew Robertson, Barry Douglas, Paul Paton, Lawrence Shankland, Aidan Connolly and Blair Spittal who have all been here,” he said. “They all spoke highly of Queen’s Park and how much they enjoyed playing for them.”

“I had the chance to go back to Dunfermline but opted for Queen’s. There were lots of times when I thought I would not get playing again and a lot of people said I would not get back. I was actually thinking about all that before this game and it was good to prove them wrong.”

Passes from Moore set up goals for Darren Miller and Paul Woods before the striker was brought down in the box by Marvin Andrews eight minutes from time. The striker grabbed the ball and pushed aside his new team-mates before netting from the spot.

Having rediscovered what it felt like to score, Moore slipped home his second of the afternoon shortly afterwards and said: “No-one else was getting the ball. Mind you, I did that as an 18-year-old with Airdrie on my debut. My parents were at Hampden and I am sure that they were proud to see me playing again. I have made my dad happy and he enjoyed his  Saturday night pint.”

Spending time at his Bishopbriggs family home helped Moore’s recovery but spending time with his Tannadice colleagues was a great help as well.He added: “Being at home has been important and I will have a bit more of that now that I am training down here on Thursday. But I have a family at  Dundee United as well. I share a flat with Aidan and he keeps me going and, at times, being up at Dundee was a bit of a relief.”

There was also support from the wider football community. “I had a fund-raising night recently for Cancer charities and raised over £40,000. It was a good night and football has supported me well. Alan Stubbs came to see me and Ally McCoist called a few times as well. If I needed anything for the event, one phone call would be made and things would happen.”

Moore is now looking to achieve on-field success. He said: “I want to help Queen’s Park go for promotion or win the league if we can. What I have seen from the squad here it is possible. Mind you, I know a couple of boys at Arbroath who will be saying the same thing.”

Moore didn’t get the man of the match award, but he made light of that. “Two assists and two goals is good going but I think there is a clique at this club,” he laughed.

“Mind you, Tony Quinn has been here for 14 years and I cannot argue too much about him winning it as the boys have been great with me.”