THE SIEGE OF PITTODRIE

So successful is our youth academy that with all the English Premiership clubs that surround it, it's beginning to feel a bit like the Alamo. But it always is a struggle to hold on to what you believe in...

Sadly it is a secret we can keep no longer. The fruits of the labours of all those who toil in the AFC Youth Academy are beginning to becoming obvious, and not just to the Red Army, but to predators far beyond the walls of the Granite City. Those with wallets to match their ambition are starting to stalk our young footballers. Already Jack Grimmer has headed for Fulham, while Fraser Fyvie is being monitored by monitored by members of the elite and Craig Storie was wanted by Manchester United. Thankfully though, we are not about to lose all our best young talent.

Clark Robertson looks set to be here at Pittodrie for the long haul. Given the family background, that hardly comes as a surprise because the Robertson clan is steeped in the history of this football club. The better part of a century ago, former Aberdeen chairman John Robertson balanced his club duties with running one of the largest business operations in the north east during his time at Pittodrie in the early 1930s. His thriving tin box making business, one of the largest employers in the area, did not prevent him from serving Aberdeen FC with distinction.

Before his death at the age of 71 in 1935, John Robertson, a native Aberdonian, served his time as a tinsmith in the Netherkirkgate area before moving to London. After returning to Aberdeen in 1895, he set up his business which eventually flourished in the company premises in Roslin Place. During the Great War his business had to be extended and at one point, employed hundreds of workers. Robertson had always shown a keen interest in football and during his time in London he became one of the founder members of Millwall FC. He joined the Aberdeen board in 1914 and was appointed chairman on July 29^th 1930. During his spell at Pittodrie he was responsible for fostering football in the area, especially in the minor grades, though much of his work was little known to the public. He was also heavily involved in the various ground improvements which helped shape Pittodrie as we know it today.

As a result of all that, Clark understands the city and the part that this football club plays in it. Wearing the red short is a privilege he appreciates.

"I am an Aberdeen fan. I used to come and watch the team play with my dad and my brother. My brother is a good player. He played for Montrose but he is out in the States now on a Soccer Scholarship, in Las Vegas - he is living the life! He loves it out there. He's a left-back too. There are three left footers in my family with me, my brother and my dad who played in the Highland League for Cove Rangers".

Left footed players have long seemed to be at a premium in the game and certainly being comfortable on the ball on the left flank has opened up the possibilities for Clark, not least with what went on at Pittodrie during the transfer window, offering Clark a chance he jumped at.

"With Richard Foster leaving, it has opened up the left-back spot. It has given me an opportunity and hopefully I can show the manager and Archie that I can fill that spot over a long spell. It just shows that the big thing is getting a chance, then it'd up to you to take it the way Ryan has. As a young boy you have to be patient. He took his chance last year and has got stronger and impressed greatly. He is a great player. Seeing what he has done gives everyone in the U19s dressing room motivation.

"I feel more settled in the team than I did when I got some games last season. To a certain extent I was thrown in at the deep end then, although the experience did not do me any harm. This time, you only have to look at the teamsheet and see the players I now have playing round about me. There is a lot more experience. Mark Reynolds has helped me a lot, Andrew Considine, Rory McArdle as well. It is a much more solid looking back four compared with when I was last in the side.

"Where I play, it's great to have Mark Reynolds in the team because he is an outstanding player. I can't understand why he was not getting a game at Sheffield Wednesday. He is a solid defender, quick and covers me a lot. He also speaks to me a lot, talks me through the game.

"In the dressing room as well Mark and Andrew Considine are very helpful. As we play beside each other on a Saturday there is a bit of a bond and they help me a lot during the week. Stephen Hughes helps me a lot in training as well. He takes time out to speak with me and offer me advice. Stephen is a very good player which Aberdeen fans will see in the weeks ahead.

"Also, I feel quite comfortable at left-back. I think it maybe is my position. I have been used in many different positions, centre-back, left-back, centre midfield, left midfield. Going forward now, left back is probably my position, although I am more than happy to play wherever the manager wants me to play".

After that spell in the team under Mark McGhee last term, like so many youngsters before him, Clark was sent back to youth football to assimilate the lessons learnt in the first team and further his education. It's a very sensible process that most youngsters have to go through, but that doesn't stop it being an awkward one at times.

"Once you play at Parkhead and Ibrox, it is quite hard going back to playing at Balgownie! It was quite hard but it is something you have to cope with as a young footballer. You know that you are going to be in and out of the team.

"Saying that though, it was far better for my development to be playing for the U19s instead of sitting on the bench. You want to play football every week. There was no point sitting on the bench losing match fitness and not getting games. I have enjoyed playing with the U19s, we have a great squad of lads and I am proud to be the captain this year.

"Neil Cooper told me to just keep my head down and work hard and my chance would come again and with Richard leaving, sure enough the chance came. I feel I have taken my opportunity as well. I think I have played well since coming back into the side. Archie and Craig have been pleased with me, so I have to keep working hard and continue to impress them in training and on the pitch. As each game has gone by I have got more confident and feel more confident on the ball and going forward".

The statisticians out there won't have failed to notice that since Clark returned to the team, all has been on the up and up for the Dons, not that he wants to take all of the credit.

"I don't think it is all down to me! Since I have been back in the team, in the first four games I played we only conceded one goal, and that was a deflection at Ibrox, so the defence is looking pretty solid at the moment. Jason is doing well in goal as well. He is a good communicator and talks a lot, and that helps those of us in front of him".

That game at Ibrox was certainly a more enjoyable one than the trip there last term, a reflection of how much both Clark and the team have improved this term.

"The experience at Ibrox was great. I played there under Mark McGhee last season when we lost 2-0 so I enjoyed this experience a bit more! Even with the injuries we went down there with a much stronger team.

"They are the grounds and the stage on which you want to play. I thought as a team we did really well and it was disappointing not to get the win as it would have meant a lot to the players as well as the fans. I was a little bit nervous at first but I think there would be something wrong with you if you did not feel it a little bit. Once you get your first touch and get into the game you feel fine and the butterflies disappear.

"Playing against Sone was enjoyable. He had been ripping most SPL defences apart all season and earning rave reviews, so I felt I handled him ok. The job was not made any easier after picking up an early booking. It was maybe a bit harsh, although I did pull him back and with 50,000 referees watching you, I was not going to get away with it! I asked for his top after the game but he said no! I think he was a bit annoyed with the result. I will remember that for the next time I play against him!"

Clark is just the latest of Aberdeen's young stars to make it into the team, but the possibility of having a team of Craig Brown following in Matt Busby's footsteps and fielding a team of young babes took a knock when Jack Grimmer chose to move on. As a teammate and contemporary, how did Clark take that news?

"It was disappointing losing Jack as he was a big player for the 19s but it is a big opportunity for him to go down and play in the best league in the world. To be honest, if you asked most of the boys in the 19s dressing room they would have taken the opportunity as well.

"It is a big decision but there is an alternative though. I would rather play football up here first for a long time and then see what happens. If you are playing for the Aberdeen first team on a regular basis you will get noticed as there is plenty of coverage of our game outside Scotland. Scouts also come and watch our games. With the amount of young players we are producing at the moment, there will be even more scouts coming to our games on a regular basis".

As Clark has proved for himself, the departure of a good player does not have to be a disaster for the team for it can simply open up a spot for somebody equally as good. So which of the under 19s are currently knocking loudest on the door?

"I think there are few of the players who are not far away from making the step up. The supporters might get to see a few of the boys before the end of the season. I would like to see Ryan Fraser given a chance, he is a very exciting prospect. We also have Stephen O'Neill, Declan McManus and Cammy Smith who are creative players. Jamie Masson has had a good season in the right back spot. He has the ability to be a very good right-back.

"It's funny, I have actually just moved into the first team dressing room but I still spend time in the U19 dressing room though. I go in there for a bit of banter and someone has to try and sort the boys out! I am still captain so it is still my responsibility to keep an eye on them and keep them on the straight and narrow. Not an easy task!"

Injuries might well push some of those youngsters forward because as Clark points out, the treatment room is a pretty packed place these days.

"Our problem is that there is a full squad of players on the treatment table at the moment. Hopefully we will start to get some of these players back in the weeks ahead. Most of the injuries seem to be hamstring ones which is strange. Maybe going from training indoors to playing on grass does not help. Hopefully if the weather improves, the training pitches will as well so we can be outdoors each day and that will ease the problem. The physios certainly have to work overtime at the moment.

"The results recently in the league do show that we have a good squad. We now have a lot of experience with the recent signings and, with the young players coming through, we now have a very good blend of youth and experience. There is a good balance which we maybe did not have before. It is great to have Russell back. He will be a big player for us.

The business end of the season is upon us. What does Clark want to get from the next three months?

"To help the team get into the top six and for me personally just to play as many games as possible, get as many games as I can under my belt. The top six is still achievable as anyone can beat anyone in the league. A run of results and you can be right up there. We still have to play most all the teams round about us and on our day we are capable of beating anyone. I think we can get right up there".