Three Step Up

It was confirmed tonight that three players from Clyde’s under-19 side have agreed terms to progress to Jim Duffy’s first team squad for season 2011-12. Jack Sloss, Daniel Fitzpatrick and Drew Ramsay have all agreed to make the step up.

Under-19 coach Lee Sharpe spoke to www.clydefc.co.uk about the players…

“I’m really pleased for the boys and I’ve been chatting to them as a group and individually to emphasize that this is a great opportunity for them. “

Lee, who coaches the 19s alongside former Bully Wee striker Eddie Annand, was delighted at the step the club has made this year in turning to its own younger players: “We spoke at length with Jim and Neil and it was good to hear confirmation of their commitment to developing young players at Clyde and, if good enough, progressing them through the ranks. It’s not always been like that.

“The manager watched the younger players in action and obviously liked what he saw.

“Jack Sloss has been about the club for a while and when he was younger some niggling injuries held him back but that sometimes happen as the boys grow. Now he has matured physically and hardly missed a game last season. He is a sitting midfielder with a range of passing with good distribution and he has come on leaps and bounds.

“Daniel Fitzpatrick is an exciting player to watch. He has several tricks up his sleeve in getting past a defender. He is very comfortable on the ball and is no slouch. In the 19s we played Daniel out wide on either flank because of his decent delivery but he has also featured just behind the front two as he can be a goal threat too. Daniel is certainly ready for the next step.

“Finally, Drew Ramsay arrived at the club at Christmas and is a left-back. Drew is very athletic and enjoys getting up and down the pitch as much as possible. As left-back is my position I found him especially easy to relate to and he has listened well and worked hard on his game. He has progressed since he arrived and deserves his chance at first team action.

“All the players have a great attitude and I look forward to seeing them develop further under Jim and Chic and helping the club.”

For the last couple of years Lee has combined his coaching duties with playing for Stranraer however this is changing next season: “I turned down the offer from Stranraer to continue with them as a player/coach and I’ll just see what happens now. To be honest, I’ve been playing for 16 years and now I have two kids aged 6 and 8 whose dad has been out training, coaching and playing often six nights a week so if nothing happens as regards my playing career I will be happy to concentrate on improving my coaching and devoting more time to my family.”

The official website will be offering an enhanced coverage of the Bully Wee’s under-19 side in the forthcoming season so keep watching and learn more about the club’s stars of the future…