Jack Ross
Encyclopedia
John James "Jack" Ross (born 5 June 1976) is a former Scottish
professional footballer who played in defence and midfield.
and Forfar Athletic
. He then moved to Camelon Juniors
, where he featured in their 1996 Scottish Junior Cup
run, before losing in the final.
in 1999, playing in many different positions before settling in the right midfield role. He was made captain of the team when Ian Spittal
was the team coach.
. However, Ross was injured after suffering ankle ligament damage and spent a large part of his time on the sidelines. Hartlepool funded his rehabilitation and also allowed him to return home. However, Ross refused to return to Hartlepool, train or play for the club and asked Hartlepool's chairman Ken Hodcroft
to tear up his contract claiming his was homesick. Hartlepool refused and asked for compensation and a refund of agent fees. Ross left without consent and later went on sick and claimed that he would not return to Hartlepool even if "they were in the Champions League
". He also criticised Hartlepool manager Neale Cooper for feeling let down by his actions, stating that "maybe the manager thinks I have let him down but that's nothing compared with how I feel about him". On 31 July 2005, Hartlepool agreed to terminate his contract after finally receiving compensation, which included a refund of the fees paid to Ross's agent.
Falkirk manager John Hughes warned Ross when he stalled on signing a new contract.
at Tannadice Park
on 24 January 2009.
club Hamilton Academical
on a one year contract. His contract with Hamilton Academical
was cancelled after only three games.
squad for the match against Northern Ireland B
in May 2009. He came on at the start of the second half, replacing St. Mirren team mate Scott Cuthbert
.
Honours degree in Economics
from Heriot-Watt University
, Edinburgh
in 1998.
Ross was the inaugural chairman of PFA Scotland players' union, heading a management committee consisting of players representing the views of those within the dressing room.
He also writes a weekly blog for the BBC Sport
Scotland
website.
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
professional footballer who played in defence and midfield.
Early career
Ross had spells as a youth player at DundeeDundee F.C.
Dundee Football Club, founded in 1893, are a football club based in the city of Dundee, Scotland. They are nicknamed The Dee or The Dark Blues and play their home matches at Dens Park. Their shirt colour is dark blue. Dundee currently play in the Scottish First Division, having been relegated from...
and Forfar Athletic
Forfar Athletic F.C.
Forfar Athletic Football Club are a Scottish semi-professional football club from the town of Forfar, Angus. They are members of the Scottish Football League and currently play in the Second Division...
. He then moved to Camelon Juniors
Camelon Juniors F.C.
Camelon Juniors F.C. are a Scottish Junior football club based in Camelon, in Falkirk district.The club, founded in 1920, currently play in the Scottish Junior Football Association's East Region Super League after winning the Lothians League Division 1 in 2005–06.Camelon parted company with...
, where he featured in their 1996 Scottish Junior Cup
Scottish Junior Cup
The Scottish Junior Cup, known as The Emirates Junior Cup for sponsorship reasons, is an annual football competition organised by the Scottish Junior Football Association for all its member clubs. The competition has been held every year since the inception of the SJFA in 1886 and as of the...
run, before losing in the final.
Clyde
He joined ClydeClyde F.C.
Clyde Football Club are a Scottish professional football team currently playing in the Third Division of the Scottish Football League. Although based for the last fifteen years in the new town of Cumbernauld, they are traditionally associated with an area that covers Rutherglen in South...
in 1999, playing in many different positions before settling in the right midfield role. He was made captain of the team when Ian Spittal
Ian Spittal
Ian Spittal , is a former Scottish footballer. He was a defender.Spittal began his career with Partick Thistle, and went on to have spells at Stranraer and Arbroath. Spittal then joined junior side Pollok, before returning to the senior game with Clyde, signing along with 10 other players plucked...
was the team coach.
Hartlepool United
Ross then signed a pre-contractual agreement with Hartlepool UnitedHartlepool United F.C.
Hartlepool United Football Club is an English professional football club based in Hartlepool that currently play in League One. The team won promotion to League One in the 2006–07 season...
. However, Ross was injured after suffering ankle ligament damage and spent a large part of his time on the sidelines. Hartlepool funded his rehabilitation and also allowed him to return home. However, Ross refused to return to Hartlepool, train or play for the club and asked Hartlepool's chairman Ken Hodcroft
Ken Hodcroft
Ken Hodcroft is the managing director of Increased Oil Recovery and the chairman of Hartlepool United F.C. .-Early life:Ken Hodcroft was born in Newcastle but moved to Leeds when he was five with his family. There he was educated at Leeds Grammar School and took his A-Levels. It was at Leeds...
to tear up his contract claiming his was homesick. Hartlepool refused and asked for compensation and a refund of agent fees. Ross left without consent and later went on sick and claimed that he would not return to Hartlepool even if "they were in the Champions League
UEFA Champions League
The UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
". He also criticised Hartlepool manager Neale Cooper for feeling let down by his actions, stating that "maybe the manager thinks I have let him down but that's nothing compared with how I feel about him". On 31 July 2005, Hartlepool agreed to terminate his contract after finally receiving compensation, which included a refund of the fees paid to Ross's agent.
Falkirk
Ross transferred to his home town club, Falkirk, in 2005 and was a regular in the team.Falkirk manager John Hughes warned Ross when he stalled on signing a new contract.
St Mirren
On 30 April 2008 it was announced that Ross had signed a pre-contract agreement with current Scottish Premier League rivals St Mirren and joined them at the end of the season on a two year deal. Ross scored his first goal for St Mirren against Dundee UnitedDundee United F.C.
Dundee United Football Club is a Scottish professional football club located in the city of Dundee. Formed in 1909, originally as Dundee Hibernian, the club changed to the present name in 1923...
at Tannadice Park
Tannadice Park
Tannadice Park, usually referred to as Tannadice, is a football stadium located on Tannadice Street in the Scottish city of Dundee. The stadium is home of Dundee United F.C. and has a capacity of 14,209.-Early days :...
on 24 January 2009.
Hamiton Academical
Having been released by St Mirren at the end of the 2009–10 season, Ross joined fellow Scottish Premier LeagueScottish Premier League
The Scottish Premier League , also known as the SPL , is a professional league competition for association football clubs in Scotland...
club Hamilton Academical
Hamilton Academical F.C.
Hamilton Academical Football Club, often known as Hamilton Academical, or Accies, are a Scottish football club from Hamilton in South Lanarkshire. They were established in 1874 from the school football team at Hamilton Academy. They remain the only professional club in British football to have...
on a one year contract. His contract with Hamilton Academical
Hamilton Academical F.C.
Hamilton Academical Football Club, often known as Hamilton Academical, or Accies, are a Scottish football club from Hamilton in South Lanarkshire. They were established in 1874 from the school football team at Hamilton Academy. They remain the only professional club in British football to have...
was cancelled after only three games.
Dunfermline Athletic
A few weeks later Ross signed for Dunfermline until the end of the 2010–11 season. Unfortunately he sustained a knee injury in training which led to his eventual retirement from football without having played a game for the Pars.International career
Ross was included in the Scotland BScotland B national football team
The Scotland B national football team, controlled by the Scottish Football Association, is a secondary football team of Scotland, run occasionally as support for the Scotland national football team as a second string side to the first team....
squad for the match against Northern Ireland B
Northern Ireland B national football team
Northern Ireland B is a secondary football team run occasionally as support for the Northern Ireland national football team. Primarily seen as a stepping-stone between the Under-21 and Full international teams, the matches are also used to give a run-out for fringe players and to honour Irish...
in May 2009. He came on at the start of the second half, replacing St. Mirren team mate Scott Cuthbert
Scott Cuthbert
Scott Cuthbert is a Scottish professional footballer currently playing for Football League One club Leyton Orient.-Club:...
.
Out with playing
During his spell outside professional footballing and attended university in between, he achieved an MAMaster of Arts (Scotland)
A Master of Arts in Scotland can refer to an undergraduate academic degree in humanities and social sciences awarded by the ancient universities of Scotland – the University of St Andrews, the University of Glasgow, the University of Aberdeen and the University of Edinburgh, while the University of...
Honours degree in Economics
Economics
Economics is the social science that analyzes the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services. The term economics comes from the Ancient Greek from + , hence "rules of the house"...
from Heriot-Watt University
Heriot-Watt University
Heriot-Watt University is a university based in Edinburgh, Scotland. The name commemorates George Heriot, the 16th century financier to King James, and James Watt, the great 18th century inventor and engineer....
, Edinburgh
Edinburgh
Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area...
in 1998.
Ross was the inaugural chairman of PFA Scotland players' union, heading a management committee consisting of players representing the views of those within the dressing room.
He also writes a weekly blog for the BBC Sport
BBC Sport
BBC Sport is the sports division of the BBC. It became a fully dedicated division of the BBC in 2000. It incorporates programmes such as Match of the Day, Grandstand , Test Match Special, Ski Sunday, Rugby Special and coverage of Formula One motor racing, MotoGP and the Wimbledon Tennis...
Scotland
BBC Scotland
BBC Scotland is a constituent part of the British Broadcasting Corporation, the publicly-funded broadcaster of the United Kingdom. It is, in effect, the national broadcaster for Scotland, having a considerable amount of autonomy from the BBC's London headquarters, and is run by the BBC Trust, who...
website.