My younger son has played in a cup game in South London this afternoon against Dulwich who are a very decent U15 side. We won 3-1 and played some really decent football. My son who is a strapping Centre Half in the making had their main striker in his pocket all game and didn't allow him any chances during the whole game. He always wears his Ipswich Home Shirt underneath his top when he plays. Anyhoo there were a few scouts who turned up during the first half including one who was wearing Norwich training gear! At the end of the game this guy comes up to our manager to ask about a few of the lads who played including my lad! As my son was walking off the pitch at the end this bloke comes over to us just to see my son pull of his shirt to reveal his Town top underneath! The look on this guy's face was priceless and to be fair he had a bit of a wry smile on his fac and could see the irony of the situation. We left him in no doubt that we were proud Ipswich supporters. He complimented my lad on his performance and walked off. Now I'm not sure what to make of this as my eldest is in the Town Academy! Very mixed emotions a bit like my mother in law driving off a cliff in my brand new BMW! If we do hear anything from the Budgies what should I do as a responsible Town loving parent? Advice needed please!
I really don't see your problem. If you were in the Premier League with a Cat 1 status and we were in the Championship with whatever Cat status you have, and one of your scouts approached me about signing my lad, I wouldn't even need to think about it. You put all rivalry aside when it comes to your own flesh and blood and possibly hampering their future.
JWM - if the Canaries come in for your lad don't even hesitate. These opportunities don't come along too often, IF that's he wants to do, however I know that at his age I wouldn't have wanted to join anyone other than Town
Quite true Carra as an old friend of mine Ruel Fox did when he was in his teens. To be honest it has never crossed my mind that Norwich would ever be interested in my son but his ambition has always been to play for Ipswich and that's where I want him to go. My eldest is already at the academy and it would be fantastic to have them both at Town. Charlton, Brighton and Palace were there this afternoon as well so it was definately a good day to impress!
It's a no brainer Warky, if you guys get the call then give your boy the oppertunity....We got a simillar problem at Brantham under 14s, one of our lads has got a trial with Naaarwich this week, both him & his dad are Blues season ticket holders, the boy can't wait to get his chance...
I'm a tractor boy through and through but spent 2 years aged 11 - 13 in the Norwich city academy, even owning some hideous green & yellow training kit... I can safely say however that Norwich have a fantastic youth set up and facilities.. possibly even up there with Towns I went on to play for Ipswich and Colchester academies and given the chance all over again i'd have no hesitation joining the enemy as playing football for a living is the dream and it doesn't matter so much how you get there just that you earn your chance to play at as high a level as you possibly can
Thanks for all your advice guys and to be honest I would be amazed if Norwich did express an interest. I do know that the Charlton scout has watched him in a few games this season as we play our games in the South London league. I would much prefer him to go there if he was given the chance. The travelling etc is a great deal easier. My boy is playing in a special fixture arranged in January where the Charlton scout will come along and make a decision on him. I am as proud as punch of him and my eldest because I was a cack player in comparison!
I will keep an eye out in the future for any new signings with "MOUSTACHE" on the back of their top coyb
Didn't Terry Butcher face a similar dilemma as a kid and couldn't bring himself to pull on the yellow shirt?
Jamie Carragher especially has shown that you can be a life long fan of one team but put 100% effort in and become a hero at your biggest rivals. I think if its your dream to be a professional then you should grab any opportunity you get. 75% of schoolboys would love that 'job' and how many even get the chance to try to fulfill it? If he goes and 'makes it' then he may be sorted for the rest of his life with opportunities that we could only dream off. If he doesnt then at least hes tried. The only thing I would suggest is that you ensure he stays grounded and keeps a sensible back up option in case things dont go well.
Let the scum pay for his development and then in a couple of years when he is ready for first team football you can let him take the step up and sign for the Blues on a free. (by then we will be back in Europe)
I wont even have Yellow & Green in the house and it would turn the pit of my stomach to see him play in those disgusting colours! He has got options down here in South London and I hope that we can get him into the Town Acadmey like his brother.
I don't think Cat 1 Cat 2 or even Top Cat makes alot of difference really its down to the coach the lads work under and the desire of each youngster and IMHO being at the club you support can only help.
Would you deny your own flesh and blood a chance of a bright future at the regions footballing powerhouse? tbf I would find it a tricky situation vice versa. Tough one to call. Our academy is very good and getting better with cat 1 status.
I doubt many players make their professional debut for the academy side they start with so if your child every does get offered a chance to join the Norwich academy you could rest safely in the knowledge that it is highly unlikely he will ever be keeping clean sheets for Norwich. The road to being a professional footballer is a long and hard road though and many fall by the wayside, so if you want what is is best for your child, you would have to let him play.
i'm not ashamed to say i played for the ipswich youth teams from 11 to 14. it was an amazing experience. i didn't play for norwich because they never showed interest in me. ipswich did. peterborough did. my dad chose ipswich for me and i was happy to go there to play - i just loved playing football and the lure of playing for any club was big. i was a norwich fan throughout my time at ipswich - it made no difference whatsoever to how i or the couple of other norwich fans there were treated or how i performed for the club (which as it happens wasn't very often due to constant injury). there were more liverpool, arsenal and man united fans than ipswich fans playing for your club at the time and that will probably still be the case. if a club scouts your son and deems him good enough for their club, YOU LET THEM PLAY FOR THAT CLUB, regardless of allegiance because its an unbelievable opportunity for any lad, trust me, and with norwich now having one of the top ten academies in the country, there has never been a better time to go through the youth setup at colney. its all about getting the best for your child and at both ipswich and norwich the facilities are excellent. your kid will learn more in two weeks at colney than he would in two years playing sunday youth football
