Cathal Heffernan - Under 21 Captain

[Jammy89]

Newcastle Under 21's Captain Cathal Heffernan has completed a permanent transfer to League Two Harrogate Town.

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Another youngster out the door, always a shame but nice to see we're being proactive and getting rid of those we don't think will make it.

Doing it this way will hopefully involve us sticking a sell on clause in there as well.

[HughieG]

My first thought was; should we be worried that our Under 21's captain's level is Harrogate Town?

[Scott Kirkland]

We are garbage at younger levels, when was the last time a player went from our youth teams. And went and played at a high level. Most of the players released from Nufc end up at league 2 teams, or even non league sides.

[Scott Kirkland]

My first thought was; should we be worried that our Under 21's captain's level is Harrogate Town?

We go shopping in the cast off section. We rarely sign young players from other teams. We just sign released players and hope they come good. Then are suprised when they end up in league 2

[Zippity]

My first thought was; should we be worried that our Under 21's captain's level is Harrogate Town?

Yeah, that was my first thought.

Mind, I get Jammy's point, too. If they're not good enough, ship 'em out.

[Jammy89]

To be fair to the club.

He was signed before take-over, or hte deal was already in pipe-line.

We seem a lot more proactive with our youth signing now.

Look at the volume of under 16 players we have been signing for proper money and how they are beginning to grow.

Our under 18 team for example is 3rd, only 5 points off first.

Man City 30 (11)
Man Utd 26 (14)
Newcastle 25 (12)
Everton 22 (13)
Forest 21 (15)

Points first and games played in brackets.

So I think we can see dividends beginning to pay off.

But I do totally take your point - my worry is they get to U21 and then it ****s up, I really think we need a full over-haul of that area of the club - starting with Shola as loan manager.