That's what I mean, there's hardly any that have come through and done well, but I did forget about Nicky Featherstone and Mike Edwards. I'm not having Simon Russell, he's spent almost all of his career in non-league, but it comes to something when he's even been mentioned as a success from our system.
Gary Hobson went to Brighton, Andy Saville & Flounders went onto other league clubs but did they come through from the youth?
Apparently Rob McDonald started out with us as a 15 year old (?) in 1976 before going on to play at many clubs across Europe. Before my time mind. Although I don't think he could be classed as a youth product per se.
I haven't followed Russell's career at all, I just remember he went to Kidderminster or somewhere (when they were still in the league) and played in League 2 for a while. Gary Hobson now arranges pre-season friendlies for various clubs and is helping organise Dawson's testimonial.
In the last 25 years I'd have to say Andy Payton is the most successful youth player, obviously McLaren & Marwood were just before I really started going to City, so Payton was the one I saw.
Youre right, but almost all of his career has been in non-league. It really is piss poor for a club with a catchment area like ours to have produced so few football league players over the years.
Chris Chilton. ..... Joined as a 16 year old, in 1st team just after he turned 17. 222 goals scored in 415 games for City. Rumours had it Revie wanted him at Leeds, & Cloughie had tried to sign both him & Waggy for Derby after they gained promotion to the first division. Cliff Britten would have none of it. I'd say Chilton made it, but it could be argued that in his time "academy" was not how it would be termed. Wonderful player
If the 2 names we can come up with are Stuart Pearson and Chris Chilton then that confirms my point a million times over.
B_C_C - You've gotta be patient, after all it only took us 104 years (most of which I've suffered) to reach the top flight !
A few years ago I know but Brian Marwood, then again the same could be said for quite a few from that era, Big Billy, McLaren etc
Paul Anderson, who people keep mentioning, joined us after WBA released him and was only here for a about a year (if that) before we swapped him for Welsh.
I'm probably completely wrong but Payton might have got offered terms with us after being released by another club
To be fair without Googling i thought that. And Big Billy didnt come through our youth system. didnt we sign him from Mexborough or somewhere? (again no google).
I was going to say Max Clarke but someones already said it. Tom Cairney? He plays for Scotland U21s currently.
