LIKE so many of us, the lockdown period has served to reiterate to Ethan Ross just how important and influential his family are to him.

The Colchester United goalkeeper has always had a close bond with his parents Iain and Kathy, who have played a big part in him becoming a professional footballer, along with his girlfriend Amy.

And Ross’s family connection recently became even more poignant following the sad loss of his beloved grandad John Brian Mcenaney, who has had a huge influence on the U’s shot-stopper’s progression in the game.

“Grandad has always been my hero,” said the 23-year-old, who hails from Ashington, in Northumberland.

“He was a fantastic man. He worked as a miner and was also in the reserves at Newcastle.

“When he was a young man, he had to make a decision on whether or not to go for it as a pro in football or carry on in the pit.

“In the summer holidays when my dad was at work, he would always make sure that I was training.

“When I was out on loan in the non-league, he used to follow me all over the country and watch me.

“He put away £10 or £20 every game and every time I kept a clean sheet, he would give it to me as a bonus.

“All I ever wanted was to make him and the rest of my family proud and I hope that I can do that in the rest of my career.

“Along with my grandad, my parents and girlfriend have always been very supportive of me since I started playing and I owe it all to them.”

That family influence on Ross’s career has been in evidence during the lockdown period, as the Colchester keeper strives to remain fit in readiness for a potential return to the game.

During his enforced time away from the U’s training ground, he’s been helped by his father Iain spraying a groundsheet with water, helping to send a ball skidding in random directions.

“My dad had just finished working on a room in the house and put some wet tarpaulin down, to help my reactions,” said the former West Bromwich Albion youngster.

“I’ve always trained with my dad and if not with him, then my grandad.

“All I’ve done so far is down to them; over the years, they’ve kicked balls at me for hours at a time.

“The motto I have with goalkeeping is that it’s not one size, fits all.

“There are so many different things you can learn from so many different keepers.

“I try to take advice off as many goalkeeper coaches as I can, take the bits you have and mould them all together and be a big sponge.

“I’ve been keeping active and training hard.

“I coach young goalkeepers in Colchester throughout the week, so I’m always looking at different sessions I can use and put on.

“I’m always on YouTube looking at different sessions and the wet groundsheet thing was something I saw that Athletic Bilbao had done, putting a bit of spin on the ball.

“I like to look at the England goalkeeper videos on You Tube and the different styles that they have in the likes of Jordan Pickford and Nick Pope.

“I think my missus gets annoyed with me always being on there looking at the England goalkeeper videos on there!

“I’m always looking to improve with my analysis of the different styles of goalkeeping that are out there and there’s so much out there that you can learn from.”

Ross is having to improvise his training somewhat, following the suspension of the season and the temporary closure of the U’s training ground, due to the coronavirus pandemic.

It is a particularly tough period for Ross and his fellow goalkeepers at the U’s like Dean Gerken, particularly given the strong bond they have developed under goalkeeper coach, Darren Smith.

And while the season has been suspended, Colchester have announced that the likes of captain Luke Prosser, Ryan Jackson, Frank Nouble and Brandon Comley will not be retained when their contracts expire at the end of next month, with keeper Bailey Vose among the dozen U’s academy players also departing.

“I always enjoy working with Smudge and his sessions,” said Ross, who joined Colchester from West Brom in July, 2018. “He’s a great coach and he’s very open.

“It’s tough not being at the training ground and it’s been especially tough over the last few days, because we’ve lost a few big lads from the dressing room.

“It’s tough to see all of them go.

“They’re all really great players but they’re also all really great human beings.

“Pross, Frank and Jacko are all slightly older than me and I’ve taken a lot of really good advice off them.

“I particularly remember Jacko talking me through the game when I made my debut against MK Dons.

“Coms is a great lad as well and I’ve shared some laughs with him.

“We’ve also lost some really good younger players and we had a great little tight knit group.

“I’ve been working with Bales (Bailey Vose) and Gerks on a day to day basis and Bales will be a loss; it’s a tight union but I have no doubt that he will find a new club.”

Ross was part of the Colchester squad that travelled up to Cumbria for their last competitive first-team match, a 3-0 win at Carlisle United, on March 7.

“We were all delighted on the way back,” said the U’s keeper, who made his U’s first-team debut as a second-half substitute in their 1-1 draw at Yeovil Town in April, 2019.

“Carlisle is a tough place to go and get a result; they hadn’t been in the best of form but it’s not an easy place to go.

“I remember speaking to Pross (Luke Prosser) afterwards and saying how big a result it was for us.

“To go from that feeling to having the next game cancelled and then what’s followed has been really strange.

“We’re all missing it – I’m sure I’m not the only one feeling it.

“It’s been very strange, not being at the training ground.

“I hope that we’ll get the chance to finish what we started.

“When you’re gearing up for the season, you don’t expect something like this to happen.

“If we don’t get the chance to go back and finish what we’ve started, it will almost feel like it’s been wasted.”

Ross has had to wait patiently for his first-team chances in John McGreal’s side this season, predominantly due to the impressive form of his team-mate Dean Gerken.

He has made five appearances for the U’s so far in the current campaign, in all competitions.

He added: “I’ve not played as many games as I would have liked but Gerks is not just an unbelievable goalkeeper but also an unbelievable person.

“He’s been great for me.

“I lost my Grandad recently and he has been on the phone to me and been really supportive.

“I’m thankful for the opportunities that I’ve had this season - I want more good moments like that.”