Was going to post this on the les reed video thread but possibly worth a discussion in its own right. Les talked about how they look after academy players even if they don't make it but inevitably that strategy cannot help everyone. Sometimes you just have to do it on your own. It was only two years ago midfielder Andy Robinson was tipped as the next big thing in the academy and replaced jack cork in a debut against the owls. Since then he has been released by saints and then Bolton where he was treated very badly it seems. Now he has signed for Dorchester Town where he will probably be by far and away the best player on the pitch. Will be following his progress with interest as he is clearly very talented but has had to step down a bit to prove himself. Strikes me as someone who really loves the game and just wants to play regularly. Fingers crossed that this is the start of his comeback trail.
There are many things that can contribute to this happening. One of the biggest risks is maintaining standards as it is hard to stay at a certain ability level while playing at a level with people of lesser ability. Quite often players like this will stand out but over a period of even a few months, can then deteriorate to that level. He will have to keep grafting hard and hope he gets a break.
The trouble with youngsters is that they can develop other interests which although they would argue is not affecting them, it clearly does. During this period of development a lot will depend on their own attitude towards their tutors and trainers. If they stop responding wholeheartedly or start to argue it causes problems. Mostly during your academy days it is lack of talent and growth that lets you down. Add to that what has been described above by a few, so would guess that is why so few make it through to the first team. I have no idea what happened in this lads case but have to agree his demise was rather sudden. Not sure what happened at Bolton only rumours, which cannot be relied on.
God knows why he signed for them, Dorchester are an awful club, badly run & thuggish on & off the pitch.
Another example similar to Andy Robinson is Callum McNish .... hailed as Saints next big thing, made his debut, and then got released a year later. Potential = nothing, I guess.
It takes an awful lot of luck to succeed as a professional footballer. Hard work and talent just simply aren't enough, you need to fit in with someone else's vision, and just be in the right place at the right time. Getting taken on as a scholar by an established club is a good way to set a youngster up for massive dissapointment, because most will end up playing non league. Still, you have to let them live the dream if the chance presents itself. Good luck to this feller, let's hope he enjoys his playing career at whatever level.
I had Jack Dovey as a certain Saints goalkeeper of the future. WAY better than Gazza or Forecast. Went to Eastleigh, now I think, in Australia
Andy broke his leg in a couple of places and has then struggled with injury since. A real shame. Got his move to Bolton, but said he left because of home-sickness.
Article in the Sun about Ormerod who now plays in the eighth division of the English league (Padiham). Partly for a bit of extra money, but mainly because he loves football...says he was told by Robbie Fowler that you are a long time retired, so wants to play all the time he can.
Not an impression, based upon information from people who run non-league teams who encounter Dorchester.
