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RedMatchday recently spoke to Sam Roscoe.

One of the recent U20 signings from across the border, Sam joined after previously playing his football at Blackpool. The 6 foot 5 inch central defender penned a two year contract which will keep him at Pittodrie until at least 2018.

“I grew up in Manchester. I am a Manchester United fan, so losing the derby last week was tough and then putting up with Shay who is a big city fan. But there are quite a few United fans at the club so I am not alone! I used to go to quite a few games because some of my family had season tickets. I was at Sir Alex Ferguson’s last ever game, that was a great occasion that I won’t ever forget – it is a bit crazy seeing all these photos of Sir Alex on the wall around Pittodrie! For people of my generation, you grow up only ever knowing him as being a United manager, it is strange thinking of him being at another club.

“As a player, I was at Rochdale for three years and then I was a scholar at Blackpool. I did my two years there and now I am at Aberdeen. I have always been a central defender. Because of my height I was always stuck at centre-half. And I don’t think I will be moving any time soon! My football education began at the Rochdale Centre of Excellence, that was my first taste of Academy football. I had a good few years there, which I enjoyed.

“I then joined Blackpool. Unfortunately, I joined them when they were on a downward spiral. However it was a great learning curve for me. I feel better for the experience of being at a club like that. When you then come to club like Aberdeen, you realise how lucky you are. I was not used to having my kit washed for me. At Blackpool, I was living in digs and having to wash my kit every night.

“The facilities at Blackpool were not the best but you were just told to get on with it. It toughens you up. I know they are trying to steady the ship a bit now and hopefully things at the club will slowly improve. The staff there were great, working in difficult circumstances. We all had to dig in. Everyone stuck together.

“Towards the end of my spell at Blackpool it came out that a few big clubs in England were interested in me. It was nice to see my name linked with Premiership clubs, but I was having to play a waiting game. I then heard of the interest from Aberdeen and jumped at the chance to come north for a couple of days at the end of last season.

“Although I was only here for two days, I was able to get a good feeling about the place. I really liked Paul Sheerin and the way he took training. He has very high standards. I was able to see in the short time I was here that the quality of football was good.

“I then signed a two-year deal. Going to Portugal on preseason was great because it gave me the chance to settle in and I got to know all the lads. There is a good spirit in the U20 dressing room, we all get along well. There are a few different nationalities and accents in the dressing room but there are no divides. We are all in this together and we all help each other along.

“The start to my Aberdeen career has been a little tough. After a really good win against Formartine in the Irn-Bru cup, we then played Forfar in the next round. It was a big game against a side who are at the top of League 2 and still unbeaten. We were all really up for it but unfortunately I got sent off after 18 minutes. I still feel it was harsh decision but it’s something I need to learn from. I can’t change the way I play, but next time I need to be a bit wary and a bit smarter. We narrowly lost the game so who knows what would have happened had it been 11 v 11?

“The worst part of it was that my dad had travelled up for the first time to see me playing for Aberdeen. He had travelled for six hours and I lasted 18 minutes!

“I didn’t really know what to expect but the Development League is a decent standard. It is good that we get the chance to play alongside more experienced and established players. Although it can be a bit frustrating for the younger boys who have to miss out, it is good when you are playing with first team players, you learn more and they demand more from you.

“My aim this season is just to get as much game time as I can. I want to impress Paul and, in the longer run, try and impress the gaffer and Doc and try and get a chance to train with the first team. Having a two year deal allows me a chance to settle in, but I still I want to push as hard as I can to set me up for next season which will be a big year, a year where I really will have to push on.

“I like Aberdeen. It is a nice city and a good size for a city. Everyone has been very friendly and made me very welcome. I can’t fault the place. People told me Aberdeen was cold and grey but I have not experienced that yet!”