Livingston sibling players to become three as one quits

May 27 2010 by Eric MacKinnon, West Lothian Courier

Livingston fantastic foursome to become three as one super sibling quits club

SHELDON JACOBS hasn’t given up hope running onto a football field with his three brothers once again in the future after this week quitting Almondvale to go to university.

In what was a Scottish football first, Sheldon joined his triplet siblings, Kyle and Devon, and big brother Keaghan in the Livingston senior side during a league match against Albion Rovers.

The match finished with Sheldon and Devon in both full-back berths and Keaghan and Kyle in the midfield.

After the game, they even shared the man-of-the-match accolade but now the 18-year-old has confirmed to the Courier that he is quitting the club and breaking up the footballing foursome for the first time.

He said: “Leaving Livingston was one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever had to make but I have to look at my future and what is best for me.

“So I’m taking up a course at Stirling University where I will hopefully be taking up a football scholarship as well.

“That would mean I’d be playing for the university side, who play at a decent standard against some very good sides.

“I’ve not thought too far into the future yet but I would say if everything is going well – and there is the opportunity – I’d definitely like to come back to senior football and maybe even bring the brothers back together again.”

Sheldon admits he will leave the club with a heavy heart but a head full of happy memories and he insists sooner or later the Jacobs boys would have to go their separate ways.

“It was inevitable that, at one point in the future, the four of us would have to split up anyway but it has been me who made the first move, leaving the other three still here at Livingston,” explained Sheldon.

“I’m the first to leave, but you never know – in the future, we could all play together again.

“But obviously I’m delighted that we had the chance to all run out together for the senior side before the end of the season.

“It was a great experience, an occasion I really enjoyed and something I’ll never forget.

“I’ve loved my time here. The coaches, the set-up – everything in place is reallyfantastic.

“To be honest, it hasn’t really sunk in that I’m leaving yet and it won’t probably until I start my course.

“Until then, I’ll still be coaching here at the club and using the gym, so it hasn’t hit home yet but I know I’ll feel it when I leave.

“I’ve had so many highlights here and this year has been the best as I’ve helped the Under-19s win the league and, with the seniors, I had the chance to make my debut and play alongside my three brothers at the same time.

“The champagne we received that night for a joint man-of-the-match award is still in the cupboard at home but maybe I’ll take it up to Stirling with me.

“I’m leaving the club on a high and my brothers are all supporting me and agree I have to continue to do what I want to do.”

As Sheldon prepares for the next chapter in his life his three brothers are enjoying a summer break before the club return for pre-season training.

And he hopes all three can stake a claim for a regular place next season.

He added: “Keaghan is a regular now for Livingston but, hopefully, Kyle and Devon can prove themselves in pre-season and maybe get the nod from the manager to be first-choice next season.

“I hope they do well and make a name for themselves. I’ll always be a Livingston fan and I’ll always keep an eye on their results. I’ll also be coming down here as often as I can to watch them.”