I NEVER thought I would see the day when I would be auditioning for the chance to become a sheep.

Donny the Sheep is the new mascot set to be unveiled by the Dons at this weekend’s home Scottish Premiership clash with Ross County.

Designed by young Dons fans Sol Collins and Erin Duguid, Donny will take to the pitch with established matchday mascots Angus the Bull and Sammy the Seagull.

The problem is the Aberdeen FC Community Trust, who Donny flies the flag for, have a shortage of people to fill his fleece.

A series of auditions are being held to find folk willing to dig into their inner sheepy-ness and entertain the younger members of the Red Army.

It’s like a Dons X-Faaaactor!

One of my best mates, Neil Murray, was the first Angus to grace Pittodrie.

I decided it might be quite nice to show him he’s not the only one capable of taking on such an important role.

That’s how I found myself at Pittodrie on a Thursday night attempting to squeeze myself into Donny’s costume, which is a joint creation by Newmachar Primary pupil Sol, 10 and Erin, who is also aged 10 and attends Kaimhill Primary.

They entered a competition organised by the AFC Trust and the Scottish Kids Show.

Their prize for coming up with the winning design is a day out at Pittodrie along with everyone who is in their class at school.

The youngsters told me they were inspired by the Dons fans’ chant The Sheep are on Fire.

Donny even has a flame coming out the top of his head. They have done a grand job. I’m sure the Red Army will come to love Donny as much as they do Angus and Sammy.

I was certainly honoured to become the first to try Donny for size.

I got a quick kick in my lamb chops when I was told I wouldn’t need to use the extra padding.

“You have more than enough of your own,” said the AFC Trust’s Debra Christie, who had the unenviable task of tucking in the bits that needed tucking.

Putting on the costume, which is sponsored by KMS, is a complicated procedure but eventually I was looking fine and dandy as Donny.

I was pretty chuffed with myself until one of the watching ground staff piped up: “That gives a new definition to the phrase mutton dressed as lamb!”

Having got into the suit, my next task was to prove I’m fit enough to do what Donny has to do.

That’s basically run about a lot kicking footballs while making sure you don’t fall over or your head falls off.

I decided to do a bit of dancing too.

Well, I’ve always fancied myself as a bit of a baaa-lerina.

Donny has to take part in a race with Angus and Sammy at Pittodrie on Saturday.

I confess I was a bit apprehensive about my chances of beating a bull and a seagull in a straight race dressed as a sheep.

I was relieved when I was told I won’t be required for the County match.

Dons fan Duncan McKay donated 1,000 to the Trust for the pleasure of being Donny on his debut.

Debra told me I had at least done well enough to ensure my name will be added to the squad of stand-by Donny the Sheep they plan to build up.

A squad player for the right to kid on that I’m a sheep. Where has it all gone wrong?