ANDY CATON has come from 'nowhere' in the eyes of many Town fans, but the man who discovered him has revealed that his signature in the summer marked the successful end of a pursuit that had lasted almost three years.

The 16-year-old is proof to youth development officer Jimmy Fraser that good things do indeed come to those who wait, and that patience is sometimes a virtue.

Fraser's philosophy is one of 'if at first you don't succeed in landing a goalscorer, you try, try and try again'.

The striker has been on Town's 'wanted' list from the age of 13/14 so it is hardly a case of him having suddenly appeared from 'nowhere'.

Fraser, like manager Andy King, is anxious to keep the youngster's feet on the ground after his arrival on the first team scene, but he feels it is a clear success story for the club's youth department, including former youth team coach Viv Busby.

Said Fraser: "I first went to watch Andy play after a tip-off from a scout when he was 13 or 14.

"He was stronger and bigger than the rest, playing on the left side of midfield, and I saw potential in him.

"I spoke to the lad's mum about him coming along for a trial and becoming part of the Centre of Excellence but it was felt that it was a little too early.

"We backed off a little bit, but still kept tabs on his progress.

"In the end Southampton must have knocked on his door a little bit more than us and he went there.

"I think the travelling became a struggle and Southampton eventually allowed him out to play local football (in the Oxford area).

"In March or April last year, he was released by them and we decided to have another go.

"He came in on a two-month trial and scored eight or nine goals in the six or so games that he played.

"He even played in the last Under 19 match of the season against Portsmouth when the manager came along to watch him.

"As a youth department we felt we wanted to bring him in and the manager seemed happy enough for us to proceed."

While many young footballers cannot wait to throw their school books in the bin once they sign on at a club, Caton looks destined to be one of the game's 'smart' players.

The only stumbling block to his signature was educational rather than contractual.

Fraser said: "Andy's a really bright kid and wanted to do four A-levels. In the end I think we reached a compromise and he's doing two for the time being.

"He takes it very seriously. He missed the first couple of days of pre-season training because he was sitting exams.

"As for his football, he still has a lot of work to do but he certainly isn't doing his chances any harm."