A FOOTBALL ace has kick-started a new business that aims to help other firms cope with the coronavirus pandemic.

Jordan Allan has played for a string of clubs in Scotland and Ireland since leaving St Luke’s High, in Barrhead, around a decade ago.

Now he is pitching in to provide support to businesses during the ongoing Covid crisis by launching his own infection control firm.

Jordan set up Optimum Hygiene Maintenance Scotland (OHM Scotland) last month after realising that, although lockdown is easing and businesses have been able to reopen, the virus will remain a problem for some time to come.

And the Neilston entrepreneur’s new service is already in demand, with eateries, taxi firms and hair salons all getting on board as customers.

Jordan, 26, told the Barrhead News: “I have always wanted to start my own company and work for myself.

“I realised that this pandemic isn’t going away anytime soon. Businesses still face the uncertainty of disruption if even one case of Covid-19 comes into their shop, cafe or restaurant.

“Then I came up with the idea of offering to spray businesses with a solution that helps prevent the spread of any viruses for up to 30 days, whether that be Covid, the flu or anything else that is infectious.”

Talented defender Jordan started his footballing career in the youth ranks at Dundee United, alongside current Scotland captain Andy Robertson, who also hails from East Renfrewshire.

He went on to play for Morton, Montrose, Elgin and Stirling Albion, as well as having spells in Ireland with Derry City and Coleraine.

After spending the 2019/20 season at Stranraer, his impressive performances earned him a place in the League 1 Team of the Year.

Jordan now stars for Ayrshire outfit Darvel in the West of Scotland Football League’s Premier Division.

He previously worked for a recruitment company before being made redundant due to the pandemic.

Initially, the target market for his new business was restaurants and cafes but the likes of nurseries and haulage companies have also become customers and he has picked up orders from people who want to make sure their home is well protected from Covid.

“I want to help people with their businesses and I think it was the right time to launch OHM Scotland,” said Jordan. “I’m not just focusing on preventing coronavirus. For example, nurseries have got in contact with me because of norovirus [also called the ‘winter vomiting bug’] and other things that young children can catch and spread.”

For more information about OHM Scotland, visit here.