Last updated 11:33, Thursday, 10 April 2008

IF LIFE had panned out the way Andy Aitken hoped, he’d now be playing his part in Carlisle United’s attempt to win a place in the Championship.

The Queen of the South defender was on the brink of his dream move to Brunton Park in 2001 during the turbulent Michael Knighton era when the Cumbrians were close to going into administration.

But Carlisle were so cash-strapped, they were only prepared to stump up a derisory £10,000 for the player who was then working as a plumber in his home-town of Annan, and the deal collapsed, much to the dismay of Aitken and the then United boss Ian Atkins.

Still, life has been pretty good to Aitken and on Saturday the 30-year-old will have the chance to enjoy the best moment of his career when Queen of the South face Aberdeen in the Scottish Cup semi-final at Hampden Park.

Around 10,000 Doonhamers fans will travel to Scotland’s national stadium for one of the greatest days in the club’s history – the first time that Queens have reached the last four for 58 years.

It caps an amazing turnaround in Aitken’s career.

After missing the whole of the last campaign with cruciate knee ligament damage, Queens boss Gordon Chisholm then told him he could leave at the start of this season – just 18 months after returning to Palmerston following two seasons at Gretna.

But he was recalled to the side due to injury for the 5-0 win over Peterhead in Scottish Cup third round in November – and the stylish defender has been instrumental in Queens’ cup run and forced a rethink by his gaffer.

“That’s football – things can change at any time,” said Aitken.

“I’m out of contract at the end of the season so I’m officially in the shop window and we’ll have to see what happens. I would like to stay at Queens as I’ve really enjoyed my time here and they’re a club close to my heart.

“The club has spent money going full-time and it’s paying off as we’re pushing for fourth in the league and we’ve had this cup run.

“Playing at Hampden is going to be the most special day of my career. I played in a Challenge Cup final for Queens when I was 19 and too young to appreciate it.

“It’s just fantastic for the club and the whole town is really getting excited and getting behind us. There are guys like myself and Jimmy Thomson who have played a lot of games but never experienced anything like this and it’s great experience for some of the younger boys.”

Aitken, along with Steve Tosh, Neil MacFarlane and Jamie McQuilken, is one of four former Gretna players in the Queens’ team.Saturday’s game will help to make up for him missing out on Gretna’s epic 2006 Scottish Cup Final appearance against Hearts as he had quit the Borderers the previous January, giving up full-time football to play part-time with Queens and spend his days looking after baby daughter Olivia.

He joined Gretna in 2003 in time for their fairytale rise through Scottish football and captained them in their Scottish Division Three season when they took the championship with a record points haul.

He left Gretna feeling disillusioned with football and became a house-husband and full-time dad to Olivia, now three, while wife Kerry returned to her job at Dumfries and Galloway Council.

Now, while Gretna battle for survival after owner Brooks Mileson cut ties with the club he bankrolled to the SPL, Aitken’s career is back on track.

He said: “I felt a bit guilty leaving Queen of the South but Gretna gave me a chance to go full-time. I enjoyed being full-time, but maybe it was Gretna I didn’t enjoy. There was never the camaraderie we have at Queens.

“I’d left Gretna in the January before they went to Hampden. I didn’t expect Gretna to get to the final but it wouldn’t have stopped me leaving as I would have probably only been on the subs’ bench at best.

“It never crossed my mind I’d get to Hampden with Queens. I thought that chance has gone.

“It’s disappointing for the people of Gretna what’s happened to that club. They’re victims of their own success. It will be embarrassing if they don’t see out their fixtures.

“Greg Fleming and Gavin Skelton are just about the only lads left from my time at Gretna. Gavin’s a lovely lad who has done really well in the SPL and I’m sure he’ll move on at the end of the season. I hope Greg can find a good club too as he’s a great lad.”

Aitken’s testimonial year at Queens has been thrown into turmoil because of the surprise of their cup success.

He’d thought it was safe to pencil in a date to coincide with the semi-finals when arranging his benefit dinner as recognition of his 10 years with the club in two spells.

But after they defeated Dundee 2-0 last month to book their place in the last four, his bash has had to be moved back to May 17.

He said: “I’ve seen good times and bad times at Queens. It’s amazing that my testimonial year has coincided with our cup run. It’s a double celebration."