Academy Direction

This is what Harper has had to say about the academy (after signing the Irish player)

Harper said last year: "Look, I could clog up the U18s and U21s with 21-year-old players and compete at the top of Premier League 2 but that?s running it for me and making it results-driven.

"Instead what will be done here, what will be our mantra from now on, is to give opportunities younger. You will notice our U21s team will be 16, 17 and 18 year olds. It will be accelerated learning and they?ll be stretched. There will be some tough experiences along the way, but that is where resilience comes from.

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I think this is a great take to be honest and def a good way forward.

Fantastic attitude. That's what academies should be about-development, not winning.

Incidentally, Harps was in the County the other week with Peter Ramage. Was drinking with one of the Dads from my school.