The Back legend was a late bloomer on the football scene as he never played at junior level but he more than made up for that in a trophy laden 20 year career at the pinnacle of Lewis football.
He said: "I started in the Back senior team as a striker in 1980/81. My first couple of seasons saw me used mainly as a substitute but in 1983 my senior career really took off and I became a more regular starter.
"I was never a very good striker but I worked hard for the team. I moved back into midfield then and I was part of a brilliant midfield with Dano, DA and Bommie. We had a lot of great players at that time in Allan George and Percy Macpherson. I would even say Percy is the best player I ever saw in local football. He was brilliant."
Red boasts a medal collection the envy of even the most decorated players, but for nearly 20 years one honour escaped him before fate stepped in and ensured a fitting end to his career.
"I won a lot with Back during my 20 year service before finishing my final full season in 2002, but the league was something that had always passed me by.
"I was worried we would never win it but we did in 2002 in my final year and that was definitely my proudest moment in football.
"The night we won the league was an incredible night. We were playing Harris away and we needed a draw for the league whereas they needed a win. It was a nerve-wracking night, but we got the point we needed in a 0 - 0 draw to clinch the league. It was fantastic and I was very happy to be captain.
"I hope it won't be so long before we are celebrating another Back league win, although it will have to be a good team to knock Lochs off their perch. They are a great side with youth on their side. I was lucky enough to be at the Highland Amateur Cup final last year when Lochs won it and they were absolutely fantastic."
Red was also an integral part of the Lewis and Harris Select for the majority of his career.
"I have many happy memories from my trips with the Select as well. One particularly happy memory comes from playing the Midsummer Tournament in Uist. We won with me as captain which was great," he recalled
"Another game which stands out for me is the ABC Cup final from 2003. Although I had retired by this point, I played the odd game when the side were short and I came back in for this game. We were 2 - 0 down against Point but we fought back well to haul ourselves back onto level terms and took the game to penalties.
"I remember the deciding penalty went to me and if I scored we would win the cup. Thankfully I did and it was always nice to get one over on Point," joked Red.
In his two decades at the heart of the Back side, Red had no desire to play for anyone else, yet he came within a heartbeat of signing for Ness during a night out.
He revealed: "They wanted me to sign and had me drunk in the back of a car with the signing book in front of me but thankfully I never signed. I'm glad I didn't as I am very loyal to Back who have been very good to me over the years.
"I have remained involved with the club and was under-16 manager for eight to ten years and in that time I have seen a number of the young lads progress into the senior team. Boys like Billy Anderson, Ross Hall and David Maclean who are a big part of the senior side now - that is a joy to watch."
Defensively he mixed defence with the creative. He had the very rare ability to stop the opposition with the flair to initiate an attack and his performances brought a range of personal awards.
Red was twice named Lewis and Harris Player of the Year and was also named Back FC Player of the Year on no fewer than seven occasions.
"I was actually a league winner twice. Once as I mentioned with Back and another with Lochmaddy United in Uist when I spent some time working down there in 1992. There were some great players in Uist as well and I must mention the MacCourquodale brothers Doodle and Dawey. Oudie and Jinky from Southend were also great players."
In his long tenure in Lewis football, Red has enjoyed titanic struggles with some of the league's strongest combatants.
"I remember once going in for a 50/50 challenge with Angus 'Beattie' Morrison. Angus was Lochs' hard man but he broke his leg in the challenge. It was purely accidental and I think Angus knows that, but for the rest of the game I had his team mates chasing me around looking for revenge.
"I also remember one of my earliest matches against Harris. I was only skin and bone and I went in for a tackle with 'Bochan' Fraser. He was a hard player but somehow I came out better than he did and I shocked even my own team mates for that."
Today, Red is content to be part of the Over 40s Select side and he harbours no desire to pull on the boots again.
"I am happy to be a part of Jose 'Wee Willie' Mourinho's revolution with the Over 40s," laughs Red.