Whilst on a football scholarship in America, promising Aberdeenshire-based sportsman Ethan Walker tragically sustained catastrophic injuries in a car accident. After an incredible recovery, he undertook a cycle from Hampden to Munich aiming to arrive in time for Scotland’s opening match of Euro 2024. Alongside his knee surgeon Gordon Mackay, Scotland fan Stephen Collie, and filmmaker Martyn Robertson, Walker is the subject of the film Make It to Munich. Chronicling their journey, the film tells a story of resilience, endurance, and the power of sport in aiding the body and mind. The film was selected at multiple festivals, including the Sport Film Festival, New York Lift-Off Film Festival, and the Silicon Beach film festival. In this interview, we ask Ethan about his experience on the cycle, what it took to achieve what he has, the film, and football in Aberdeenshire.
Gaudie: First of all, I understand you were in Hollywood recently, how was that experience?
Ethan: Oh, it was brilliant. It’s definitely what you think, there’s big scenery, we stayed at the Roosevelt.
G: Sounds amazing. Could you tell us a bit about the reaction to the film, and what people’s reactions meant to you?
E: Everyone’s had different reactions. Some people have said, “It’s so funny, it’s brilliant.” But then others have been, “It’s so sad, I was crying my eyes out the whole time.” It makes me feel special, almost. It’s a good feeling that people are touched by it, but I don’t want to see people crying!
G: Following on from that, what kind of takeaways do you hope people have from the film?
E: I just hope people realise that if you put your body up against something, it can manage. As long as you have the right mindset it’s completely fine, you can do it. I hope people take a positive attitude away from the film, a can-do attitude.
G: I want to ask you a bit about the cycle itself. What kind of mentality did you have during the cycle, and what kind of headspace were you in?
E: I was just focussed on food and just trying to ride until midnight every day, that was a lot of my focus, that and helping everyone get along.
G: Actually, that brings me on to my next question. You seem like you had a great relationship with the guys you cycled with, how important was that relationship to the completion of the journey?
E: It was amazing. We all basically clicked the day that we met for the first time, and the cycle just brought us even closer. We’re all still in touch now, like you said we were in Hollywood this month!
G: That’s great to hear! When the journey was gathering traction, you started getting recognised. What was that recognition like, and what was it like being willed on by so many people?
E: Being willed on was good, and I’m glad that we had the support and traction that we needed to raise some money. However, I did not like being in the limelight and I still get recognised to this day. People say, “You’re the boy who cycled to Germany!” I was working, and some people came in and said, “I saw you on TV.” I was like, “Yep, yes you did!” It’s a strange feeling, I would never have thought this day would come.
G: What was your experience with grassroots football in Aberdeenshire?
E: So, I played for Huntly Development and got loaned out to Islavale. Playing there was brilliant, so was Huntly Development. It’s everything you could have asked for, especially up here. In the central belt the football is probably better, and you’ve got more options. But up here, that’s probably the best route, it’s good.
G: How have you found coaching?
E: I would say it has had its ups and downs, as most seasons will. What frustrates me the most is when the players can’t do certain things that I can do still, and I can’t play! I’ve got to just respect it and carry on, even though it’s frustrating.
G: Surely Alex Ferguson telling you to coach was a good motivator?
E: I don’t quite think you can top it, to be honest. I’ve been told to coach by the greatest!
G: How are you feeling about Scottish football this season?
E: I think we have a good team in the qualifiers, so I think we can get something out of it.