Outbreak of commom sense in Yarkshire

[sinkov]

Huddersfield are scrapping their youth development system, downgrading to Cat 4. Something we should have done years ago.

[The Bedlington Terrier]

Huddersfield are scrapping their youth development system, downgrading to Cat 4. Something we should have done years ago.

Where's your ambition sinkov? Plus it's good to have kids running about the place!

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[sinkov]

You're conflating ambition with common sense BT. Huddersfield have just realised that all that time, effort and cash over 18 years has produced just Jon Stead, while we've produced just Jay in ten tears. Huddersfield have seen sense and decided to row back, but we are continuing to throw money at it. And still we don't have anyone even close the first team coming through.

And if you want proof of what a waste of money it all is ponder this, both ourselves and Huddersfield are in the Premier League with zero contribution from the respective youth development systems. They're clearly not necessary, so what's the point ?

[barrie_burn]

It is a difficult one but who knows what the future holds. I am happy to support the Board and the time may come where that is the area where we have to look for our players.It is frightening when you look at where Blackburn,Bolton,Wigan,Blackpool and Stockport are now.Even Leeds with their home gates are still a long way from where they were a few years ago

[blueheeler1]

You're conflating ambition with common sense BT. Huddersfield have just realised that all that time, effort and cash over 18 years has produced just Jon Stead, while we've produced just Jay in ten tears. Huddersfield have seen sense and decided to row back, but we are continuing to throw money at it. And still we don't have anyone even close the first team coming through.

And if you want proof of what a waste of money it all is ponder this, both ourselves and Huddersfield are in the Premier League with zero contribution from the respective youth development systems. They're clearly not necessary, so what's the point ?

Can't fault the sentiment.

Long gone are the days when local and surrounding talent came walking in through the door.

But its always a question of risk Vs return.

How much has the youth development system actually cost us, say, over the last five years compared to funds received from transfers out?

It brings employment opportunities and fresh thoughts from Coaches, etc, and gives the place a bit of a buzz.

It's a prime reason to improve facilities.

Could throw up a surprise package and the value of a good player (and one who has matured into our system and culture) can be enormous.

Its our lottery, if you like. Our punt.

The longer we stay in the Prem the more likely we are to attract good, raw, talent so now is not the time to bottle.

Arguably, other clubs killing their youth teams puts more kids in our path.

With our new found wealth it has to be worth the effort--at least for now.

[sinkov]

I take your points blueheeler, we should have scrapped it years ago imo, but we can easily afford to run it now so we may as well carry on with it. I've raised this issue several times over the years on other forums and been told by people allegedly in the know that, because of subsidies we received, it didn't cost us much at all to run, yet Huddersfield are talking about £1 million a year. That amount is fairly insignificant to us nowadays, but it was a lot of brass to be shelling out for no return a few years back, when all Brian Laws got to keep us in the PL was £2 million in the January window.

[The Bedlington Terrier]

Even if we only develop half a dozen Championship quality players they can be valuable transfer wise.

On an optimistic note O'Neill, Metz & Agyei might make it and with Duff running the Development Squad I really believe we are on a winner.

Not really sure I want us to follow faint hearted Huddersfield in downgrading our Youth system.

[oldcolner]

Do we want John Bond coming back? Just when we have got our new facilities and loads of dosh we need to make savings. Let's give the new set up a chance. We need to be seen as the place for youngsters to come and get a good training as they did in the 50s and 60s. Southampton have done very well from doing that role in the past decade. No reason we can't but it's going to take time.
Who wants to go to Huddersfield anyway!

[The Bedlington Terrier]

Absolutely spot on OC!