One of the brightest young talents at the club has today signed a new two-year contract. Frank Ross put pen to paper at the club’s pre-season training camp in St Andrews.
Another product of the AFC Youth Academy, Frank is a local boy from Ellon and the midfielder has been at the club from eight years of age.
An excellent technical and creative player who can score goals, Frank has been lauded as a special talent not only within the football club, but has also gained international honours for Scotland at U16, U17 and U19 level.
The 18 year old made his first team debut for The Dons in a league match against Dundee on the 16th May 2015. Since then he has made four appearances for the first team so far, but will be looking to break into the senior squad on a more regular basis in the upcoming season.
Derek McInnes told afc.co.uk: “I am delighted to get Frank tied up. He is a very talented player and one we think very highly of and definitely has the potential to go all the way if he continues to progress the way he has been doing.
“We are looking forward to seeing a continued improvement in him over these next two years and hopefully he can push for a regular first team place in the near future.”
After signing his new deal Frank also spoke to afc.co.uk:
“I am very pleased to have got the contract finalised and signed. Over the summer the manager and the club had been in contact with my agent. It is good to get everything sorted ahead of the new season and now I can just get my head down and focus on my football.
“It was a short break over the summer but I managed to get some time off to recharge the batteries. Even at U20 level we played a lot of games last season.
“Last year was really my first season playing at U20 level. The season before that I only started a handful of games and played predominantly for the U17s. So considering it was my first time at that level I thought I did ok. I really enjoyed it.
“I am still young and still have two years left at U20 level but this is my third season as a full time professional and I now want to be pushing towards the first team squad.
“To be recognised by the manager and to have made my first team debut so early was very pleasing. I know most players my age have to wait a lot longer for their chance. So it is good to be involved with the first team squad and hopefully I will get more involved this season.
“For the second campaign in a row Frank has joined the first team squad for pre-season training.
“Pre-season is tiring! My legs are so sore at the moment! There are a number of the 20s boys here in St Andrews. Connor McLennan, Joe Nuttall, Daniel Harvie, Scott McKenna and Scott Wright. It is nice having a few of my mates here and we all push each other on.
“Last season at U20 level was a transitional season for the team. The season before we had so many experienced players but last year it was a very young side. To finish the league in third spot was still a good achievement and there is a strong squad at that level this season.
“Like all the boys in the Development side my aim this year will be to push for a place in the first team. If that does not happen I just need to keep working hard at my game.”
A big part of Frank’s game is his pace and his technical ability. Some of the skills he has produced during games have at times mesmerised opposition players. Many of these were honed at a young age in the Youth Academy at Jim Crawford’s Skill Centres. Both these attributes though are things he works on.
“At U10 and U11 I was not that quick. My speed has really only come to me in recent years and it is still something I want to improve. It was something I really worked hard on. One of my old coaches was a speed coach and he was able to help me.
“Paul Sheerin is a very attack minded coach. The forward players like myself are allowed to go out and play. I enjoy using my skills within a game environment. It makes football enjoyable. Again I work on my skills all the time and still practice them in the back garden!
“Obviously when you are playing for the first team it is more structured and I am still learning about that side of the game all the time. At first team level your concentration levels need to be at 100% throughout the game. You cannot switch off for a second. That is something I need to work on. I know I need to work on my fitness as well.
“I also recognise the need to have an end product to my play. I think I scored four or five goals last season so I know it is also something I need to add more to my game. I believe all my goals came in a ten game spell at the end of the season so hopefully I can take that scoring form into the new campaign.”
“I also recognise the need to have an end product to my play. I think I scored four or five goals last season so I know it is also something I need to add more to my game. I believe all my goals came in a ten game spell at the end of the season so hopefully I can take that scoring form into the new campaign.”
