By continuing to use the site, you agree to our use of cookies and to abide by our Terms and Conditions. We in turn value your personal details in accordance with our Privacy Policy.
Please log in or register. Registered visitors get fewer ads.
Good video this. Comes across like a level headed, well spoken young man with the right mentality to progress in the professional game.
Good insight into some behind the scenes stuff too. The fact that he can go straight from football training into the classroom to complete a BTEC is something all professional clubs should offer their young players.
Pain or damage don't end the world. Or despair, or f*cking beatings. The world ends when you're dead. Until then, you got more punishment in store. Stand it like a man... and give some back.
It’s a good look at a player of a certain age that will resonate with those who are judging our academy status this season despite his progress in the first team. Visual proof for me that will go a long way to displaying how the club manages and looks after young players which won’t be lost on those who matter.
A great believer in taking anything you like to wherever you want to.
It’s a good look at a player of a certain age that will resonate with those who are judging our academy status this season despite his progress in the first team. Visual proof for me that will go a long way to displaying how the club manages and looks after young players which won’t be lost on those who matter.
Been a bugbear of mine for years that young players aren't really "looked after". It's OK for the ones who do eventually turn pro, but the many, many more cast aside in the process need better care in a lot of areas. Education, mental health support, vocational training etc.
Having something you may have dreamed about and worked for basically since the age that you became capable of coherent thought taken away from you must be shattering, especially since the vast majority of these lads have no real chance of making it and the clubs already know that. They're just being kept on to make up the numbers. Led to believe that they still have a chance.
Sure, a lot of those at the top academies may find a place lower down the pyramid, but a lot of them don't even get there. There's been at least one high profile suicide as a result, but I bet there's many, many more who go off the rails in other ways.
Pain or damage don't end the world. Or despair, or f*cking beatings. The world ends when you're dead. Until then, you got more punishment in store. Stand it like a man... and give some back.
Been a bugbear of mine for years that young players aren't really "looked after". It's OK for the ones who do eventually turn pro, but the many, many more cast aside in the process need better care in a lot of areas. Education, mental health support, vocational training etc.
Having something you may have dreamed about and worked for basically since the age that you became capable of coherent thought taken away from you must be shattering, especially since the vast majority of these lads have no real chance of making it and the clubs already know that. They're just being kept on to make up the numbers. Led to believe that they still have a chance.
Sure, a lot of those at the top academies may find a place lower down the pyramid, but a lot of them don't even get there. There's been at least one high profile suicide as a result, but I bet there's many, many more who go off the rails in other ways.
These are excellent points.
I’m sure years ago players were encouraged to take a trade whilst pursuing a football career. David Gwythr told me about it because when he was a football apprentice he was also doing a painting and decorating apprenticeship which is how I met him. It’s essential and they can study fir qualifications linked to football such as Sports Science, Physiotherapy etc.
Been a bugbear of mine for years that young players aren't really "looked after". It's OK for the ones who do eventually turn pro, but the many, many more cast aside in the process need better care in a lot of areas. Education, mental health support, vocational training etc.
Having something you may have dreamed about and worked for basically since the age that you became capable of coherent thought taken away from you must be shattering, especially since the vast majority of these lads have no real chance of making it and the clubs already know that. They're just being kept on to make up the numbers. Led to believe that they still have a chance.
Sure, a lot of those at the top academies may find a place lower down the pyramid, but a lot of them don't even get there. There's been at least one high profile suicide as a result, but I bet there's many, many more who go off the rails in other ways.
Agree, I remember speaking to a senior civil servant who was proud of her fast track process for staff. From around 80 applicants 6 were selected for development each year and given interesting and challenging roles with a view to being able to become senior civil servants. I asked her what happens to the other 74, she paused and said they go back to work. She realised she had a great process to disappoint people. We redesigned the scheme to be ' Development for All ' where there was a range of opportunities like job swaps, qualifications, mentoring etc. that anyone could participate in on an ongoing basis, with the support of someone who was not their line manager to aid their development. If football academies are going to reject 99 percent of participants it makes sense to support everyone on the basis that 99 percent aren't going to be footballers.
By continuing to use the site, you agree to our use of cookies and to abide by our Terms and Conditions.