The Myth of the Pathway to Pro
⚽ The Myth of the Pathway to Pro
By Fraser Logan
Founder of Link Football Coaching | Former Kilmarnock Player
Every young footballer dreams of going pro.
But what does that journey really look like — behind the highlight reels, academy badges, and promises of pathways?
In this honest reflection, former Kilmarnock player Fraser Logan shares his story — from being scouted as a boy and earning a YTS contract, to dealing with injury setbacks and learning that the “pathway to pro” isn’t always what people think it is.
Where It All Began
I was playing for my local boys’ club, Valspar, around the age of 11 or 12 when I got spotted by Kilmarnock.
It wasn’t even called an “academy” back then — just the youth set-up — but to me, it felt massive.
We trained twice a week and travelled to face the big SPL clubs: Rangers, Celtic, Hearts, Hibs.
For a young lad, it felt like the dream was starting to come true. You think, “This is it — I’m on the pathway now.”
At that age, football was everything.
Living the Dream
I wasn’t thinking about contracts or careers — just playing well, scoring goals, and getting better every week.
If I wasn’t at school, I was outside kicking a ball against a wall, practising technique, and chasing progress.
Those years were pure joy. Looking back now, that simple love for the game — not pressure, not structure — was what built my foundation.
That’s something I always remind our players at Link Football Coaching: your love for the game is your greatest strength.
When It Started to Get Serious
Things changed around 15 or 16. Suddenly, everyone was talking about who’d get offered a YTS (Youth Training Scheme) contract when we left school.
That was all I wanted — to leave school and play football full-time.
Every match felt like an audition. Every training session mattered. You could sense the pressure building as the season went on.
For the first time, it felt like something real was at stake.
The Big Moment
I’ll never forget those end-of-season meetings — sitting with the coaches, your parents beside you, waiting to hear your future.
You were either getting a two-year deal or being released.
I was nervous but hopeful — and thankfully, I was offered a two-year YTS professional contract with Kilmarnock.
It was surreal. I was 16, my mates were off to college, and I was being paid to play football every day.
We trained full-time, with a college course once or twice a week, but our focus was always football.
At that age, you think, “This is it. I’ve made it.”
But the truth is — that’s when the real work begins.
The Other Side of the Dream
Being a YTS player wasn’t just about training. You had chores — cleaning first-team boots, tidying dressing rooms, running errands.
I still remember walking through the first-team dressing room at Rugby Park, past Ian Durrant and Ally McCoist — both Scotland internationals — feeling completely out of my depth.
I wish I’d had the confidence to speak to them more, to learn from them.
But those days taught me so much — discipline, humility, and what it really takes to survive in the game.
A lot of the drills we did back then are still part of my sessions at Link Football Coaching today.
I was lucky to be coached by Dylan Kerr and Ian Durrant — both shaped how I think about football and development.
When Things Changed
Like any young player, I started to see glimpses of a pathway — moments where you think, “I’m getting close.”
But football can change in an instant.
For me, injuries became the turning point. When you’re doing really well and then suddenly sidelined for months, it’s tough.
I had around 14 months out injured, and that completely halted my progress.
When I came back, the manager saw me more as a forward, but there were five or six senior pros ahead of me. Suddenly, that pathway you thought was there just disappears.
Eventually, I was released.
That was a hard moment. But looking back now, it wasn’t the end — it was the start of a different journey.
A New Chapter
After leaving Kilmarnock, I moved down south to continue my football career.
I played over 400 games in semi-professional football, made lifelong friends, and learned more about myself than I ever could have imagined.
No, I didn’t make it to the top level — but I made a career out of something I loved.
The so-called “pathway to pro” isn’t a straight line. It’s a winding road full of turns, challenges, and lessons.
Some players break through. Others drop out. And many, like me, find a different path that keeps their love for the game alive.
What I Wish I Knew Then
If I could go back and talk to my 15-year-old self, I’d tell him one thing: don’t take it for granted.
At that level, talent isn’t enough. Improvement comes from specific practice — from working on your game with intent every single day.
From ages 8 to 13, I couldn’t have done much more — I was obsessed with football. But from 14 or 15 onwards, I could have done more.
I wish I’d spent more time on the training field instead of sitting at home playing computer games.
You can improve at any age if you work on the fundamentals and put the hours in. It’s about consistency, attitude, and self-discipline.
What Football Taught Me
Football gave me everything — not just as a player, but as a person.
It taught me resilience, teamwork, and how to bounce back when things don’t go to plan.
Injuries, setbacks, rejection — they all shape you. And later in life, they help you lead, coach, and understand others better.
That’s one of the biggest lessons I carry into coaching today.
Why I Started Link Football Coaching
When I stopped playing, I didn’t want to walk away from the game.
Coaching became my way of giving something back — passing on everything I’d learned, both the highs and the lows.
I wanted to help young players understand what development really means. It’s not just about who signs for an academy or who gets trials — it’s about growth, character, and enjoying the process.
That’s what Link Football Coaching is built on: helping players become better footballers and better people.
My Message to Parents and Players
Here’s what I tell young players and parents now:
Don’t chase a badge or a label — chase development.
Only a few ever make it to the very top, but everyone can love the game, improve, and grow through it.
If your child enjoys football, keep them in environments where they’re supported, challenged, and happy.
That’s how they’ll develop — on and off the pitch.
Love the game. Work hard. Keep learning.
The rest will take care of itself.
“There’s no straight line to becoming a pro — only the love of the game.”
At Link Football Coaching, we focus on building confident, technically skilled, and resilient young players — whatever stage they’re at.