JJ Hawkshaw is the latest youth academy player to commit himself to Ayr United Football Club after he signed a 3 year professional contract with the club.
The 16 year old becomes the seventh player to have been signed by Ayr from the football academy with the club and manager, Brian Reid, buzzing with excitement at signing such a talent.JJ, who attends Grange Academy in Kilmarnock follows in his fathers uncles footsteps by signing for Ayr. Ian Harkshaw, who played 91 times between 1965 - 1968, signed from St Johnstone and scored 39 goals for the Ayr side in that period and although JJ is a defender, he will be hoping to at least emulate the appearance total in the coming years.
Head of Youth and Community Development Davie White is delighted with the signing. Davie commented "JJ has been part of the youth Academy from the very beginning since joining us from Crosshouse Boys Club and has progressed through the system tremendously. It is great to see that his hard work and dedication have been rewarded with a professional contract."
Davie continued "JJ is taking his first step on his professional football pathway where we hope he will continue to grow and if he continues to show the desire to succeed that he has previously shown, he has the potential to progress to the top."
As part of the Youth Academy setup, JJ has decided to stay on at school and is currently studying English, Maths, History, Biology and Physics all at Higher education level, thus giving him the opportunity to progress with further college or university education in tandem with his professional football contract when and if that opportunity presents itself.
JJ himself is delighted to have signed with Ayr saying "Ayr have a magnificent setup with tremendous facilities at their disposal. The calibre of the coaches is outstanding and without them, I would never have been able to be the player I have became. With their continued guidance I would be hopeful of playing in Ayr Uniteds first team squad at some time in the near future.
Being an intelligent young man, he was quick to offer some words of advice for other players hoping to follow in his footsteps, " Hard work and a desire will only get you so far, you have to be intelligent and willing to listen to the coaches advice, these guys have the experience and are willing to give up their time and effort to help us reach our dreams. As for me, I can't thank them enough and have at least the next 3 years to learn as much as I can from them."
One thing is for sure, after recent successes from the youth Academy, JJ will be given his chance by Ayr United if he proves to be good enough and on previous form, his chance will come sooner rather than later.
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