 His father, Paul Sturrock, a former player who was a Scotland international was also the Manager of Southend United signing Blair and then ultimately releasing him.Sturrock started off as a trainee for Dundee United before briefly going on loan to Brechin City in the 2000–01 season.He then moved to Plymouth for three years and made 64 appearances for the club during the years 2001–2004, but mostly as a substitute.