Football Academies. A Boulevard of Broken Dreams?

[UlleyMiller]

It's worth investing in a set-up for the young men who fall out of the 'elite' academies at an older age (16 as a minimum) but any younger is little more than a poor mirror of legitimate set-ups. There are obviously a lot of young men who (along with their families) have made a lot of sacrifices to get to the latter stages of larger academies, and in that number will be decent prospects for our level. Scouting professionals these days is a much easier job than pre-internet/data/stat tracking days, so if we're spending as much in that area today it's wasted. Focus on a 'second chance' set-up in a streamlined version of an academy, and get the better prospects around the first team at the earliest opportunity - the best of them will adapt and learn quickly if given the right exposure.

[Derbymiller]

It's worth investing in a set-up for the young men who fall out of the 'elite' academies at an older age (16 as a minimum) but any younger is little more than a poor mirror of legitimate set-ups. There are obviously a lot of young men who (along with their families) have made a lot of sacrifices to get to the latter stages of larger academies, and in that number will be decent prospects for our level. Scouting professionals these days is a much easier job than pre-internet/data/stat tracking days, so if we're spending as much in that area today it's wasted. Focus on a 'second chance' set-up in a streamlined version of an academy, and get the better prospects around the first team at the earliest opportunity - the best of them will adapt and learn quickly if given the right exposure.

I like that, it is about being creative and innovating. That takes good leadership and our club doesn't have that.

[UlleyMiller]

I like that, it is about being creative and innovating. That takes good leadership and our club doesn't have that.

I've said many times we have to understand our place a little more. We'll likely always be a small team from a poor, unfashionable northern town, but that can be a positive if you foster an underdog culture and are prepared to do things a little differently instead of just copying the formula others work to. Of course it's great to bring through a Wiles, straight off the local park, but there's absolutely no problem picking up a Viktor or a Barlaser - there was just as much of a bond with those lads as Wiles. If done right, the alternative route should be more cost effective and a lot more productive.