AFC Youth Academy | Player of the Year Awards Ceremony 2014/15

Last week Aberdeen FC held it’s first ever Academy Play of the Year awards ceremony. More than 120 players along with their parents and friends attended the gala event at the Pittodrie. The youngsters, aged from U10s through to U17, play in Development League matches against other SPFL clubs every weekend.

Head of Youth Academy Neil Simpson said “It was a fantastic evening and I would like to thank everyone for attending. All of the award winners will have appreciated seeing their efforts recognised. We feel we have some exceptional talents at all age levels and are happy with the progress they are making.”

State Ola Aanestad, head of communications at Statoil was also in attendance and he handed over the prizes to the following players:

Lyall Booth (left) and Dean Campbell (right) with Stare Ola Aanstad from Statoil (photo thanks to Evening Express)

Junior Academy
Statoil Young Talent winner – Lyall Booth 

Lyall has progressed right through from the Advanced Centres and over the years has continued to excel in the environment here at Aberdeen Football Club.  His performances this season have contributed to creating and scoring a lot of goals, but not forgetting his desire and work rate off the ball both when in and out of possession.  His determination and desire to be the best he can be has been evident with each coach that he has worked with this season and this has contributed towards some excellent performances at both the Under 12s and the Under 13s.  With his pace down the left side being a strength to his game, he has continued to improve his 1v1 skills to beat opponents and was even singled out recently by former Scotland Manager Craig Levein after a skill he used in a game against a young Hearts side. 

Youth Academy
Statoil Talent of the Season award – Dean Campbell

Dean Campbell won the Statoil Talent of the Season award. He has been with the club since 8 years of age and has played for and captained his country.  He has shown a consistently high level of game awareness, tactical and technical abilities throughout the season both during matches and training sessions. He has demonstrated a fantastic range of passing and finishing throughout the year. Through hard work, desire and commitment and the support of his coaches and team mates Dean has played for Aberdeen FC 14s, 15s and 17s all in one season and to top off a good season for Dean, he has just returned from Holland where he represented his Country at 14s level, playing against top class opponents.
 

The John Delday Award winners were:

U11 –  Nimi Faleye: scored 60 goals in the season including seven in one game against Motherwell. A great talent with impressive speed and determination

U12 – Calvin Ramsay: Has an impressive range of passing and technique. First spotted playing at one of the club’s community training sessions

U13 – Max Barry: Dictates play because he is calm when put under pressure. Also has a great range of passes and played at U14 level

U14 – Dean Campbell: A double award winner on the night, he has already played at U17 level. Also captained Scotland recently in Holland.

U15 – Seb Ross: Made his debut for the U20s in the game against Hibs. Has been a stand-out player and also earned a call-up to the Scotland squad this season.

U17 – Frank Ross: Made his first team debut against Dundee recently and also came on during the final game of the season against St Johnstone. Before that away with Scotland at the U17 European Championships.

Gavin Levey and Neil Simpson with award winners (from l to r): Max Barry, Dean Campbell, Seb Ross, Calvin Ramsay and Lyall Booth (photo thanks to Evening Express)