Blinded ex-footballer turned car dealer wins top honour

Former Ayr United footballer John McTier, who was forced to abandon his promising sporting career after a violent attack left him blind in one eye, has been named Best Independent Motor Dealer at the 2025 Scottish Business Awards.

The award marks a major milestone in McTier’s journey from personal tragedy to professional success. At 16, he was tipped for the top, with football insiders predicting a future in the Old Firm ranks.

But in December 2004, while walking his girlfriend home in Govan, he was the victim of a brutal unprovoked assault by a group of teenagers. The injuries sustained in the attack ended his football career.

Initially offered just £32,000 in compensation - including £5,000 for loss of future earnings - his case was taken up by former Scottish PFA chief Fraser Wishart, legal advocate Liam O'Donnell, and others in the football community.

They successfully argued that McTier could have earned up to £500,000 annually as a professional footballer. In 2010, he was awarded over £260,000 by the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority.

McTier invested the settlement into launching Woodville Cars in Cardonald. “What started as a job became a passion,” McTier told The Scottish Sun.

“I get a buzz from doing things right. Whether it’s making sure a car is thoroughly checked or treating every customer with respect - those are the things that matter.”

Now 37, McTier says his approach is grounded in the same discipline he applied as an athlete: “I trained hard, didn’t drink, gave football 110%. I brought that mentality into the business.”

Woodville Cars has since grown into a respected name in Scotland’s independent dealership sector, praised for its service standards and customer care. “I don’t even know who nominated me,” he said, “but it means a lot.”