Former Ross County youth speaks about life in Highland League with Clachnacuddin
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FERGUS Adams says he is enjoying making the step up to senior football with Clachnacuddin since arriving at the club this season.
The 18-year-old centre midfielder joined Clachnacuddin in the summer after coming through the Ross County youth set up, where he had spent 13 years.
Since arriving at the Merkinch club, the personal trainer from Avoch has impressed and become a first team regular.
He says he took time to get used to the difference in the demands of youth football and senior football.
But he says he is relishing the opportunity of first team football in the Highland League.
“This is my first season in the men’s game,” said Adams.
“It is a lot more physical and demanding. I went from playing youth football and every day learning the tactical side of things and getting stuff drilled into you.
“I took it into the Highland League and it does help.
“My time at Ross County set me in good stead, but things change when you play in the men’s game as three points is all that matters. The feeling of three points is so rewarding.
“These are guys that are giving up the weekends to play and you can see it means a lot to them.
“Those are the changes I have noticed a lot.”
Adams signed a two-year deal with Clachnacuddin at the start of the season and was encouraged to move to the club by former Clachnacuddin defender and Caley Thistle captain Gary Warren.
Adams knew Warren through his role as the head of professional academy at Ross County.
Now working under manager Conor Gethins and his coaching team, Adams believes he is in the right place to improve his game.
“The belief that Conor and the management team has instilled in us has come along so much. It is just the consistency that we have been lacking, if we can nail that down then we can push to be a top team.
“The knowledge these boys have is perfect when it all comes together. We are moving in the right way.
“I was at Ross County for 13 years and my big attraction to go to Clachnacuddin was Gary Warren who at the time was at the club. I knew him being in the Ross County set-up and he is a really good guy.
“I couldn’t ask to be at a better place now as the management and players get on well and it is a good building block to go and push on.”
Despite being third bottom in the Highland League, Clachnacuddin have recorded some eye catching results.
A shock 3-2 win at title contenders Buckie Thistle along with draws at top half teams such as Banks O’Dee, Fraserburgh and Nairn County last week, gives Adams and the squad confidence things are turning for the better.
“It is my first year in the Highland League and I have had to learn the hard way with results.
“It is that bit sweeter when they start coming now and we will push on up the table next year. We are all hungry to go bring it together as a team.
"It will click, I can guarantee it as I can see the ideas the management have. We have players that are seen as young but are getting more seasons under their belts.
"There are a lot of players in our squad who will become top players. We have seen it already with the likes of Connor Bunce and Lewis Mackenzie. You take it all in and keep moving forward and hopefully the results will come.
“There is nothing worse than looking at the table and seeing you are third bottom. The boys are intrigued to see what can happen next season.”
Clachnacuddin head to Rothes on Saturday.
