The Premiership is trying to hijack the best youngsters from lower league academies starting as young as 9 yr-olds, whereas at the moment you have a catchment area to stop youngsters being dragged round the country. A lot of league academies are worried about it and some may close. Saints have said they are aiming to be a grade 1 academy anyway. Great for us, but for most clubs this will be a blow. And is it good for youngsters...not all will benefit from leaving home so early. What do you think?
This is pretty interesting, do you have a decent online source? I think I'd have to read into it a bit more before I can decide what my opinion is.
I heard it was being discussed before, but now is being seriously considered. Saw it on Late Kick Off last night.
Not just finding every oppurtinity to make comparisons with Pompey, but the academy that was truly first established under Lawrie Mc has over the years consistently given the club the life blood to survive both on the pitch and off it. I hope that there is no risk of intrusion into other club's utilising their own scouting academies and youth set-ups. I will look into this more also, nice article to make fran-MLS little camera
It was on Late Kick Off with Graeme Murty, top bloke. Link here... http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episod...Off_South_South_West_and_West_2011_Episode_8/ Anyway, without a doubt Southampton will have category 1 status. The academy setup is really top drawer (top 5 in the country) and far better than what most Premiership clubs will have, particularly with the planned Staplewood development. The new system would presumably ensure better talent comes through as the best youngsters would be at the best academies. Whether this is fair on those clubs who don't have the money to invest heavily is another question though, and there is a nature v nurture debate here (no one knows who the next 14 year old Messi is, for example). But one thing that will happen is that the top academies will benefit, which I suppose is good news for Saints.
To be honest I think the smaller clubs have got something to worry about. In most cases those that have academies of some sort rely on the through put to survive. In addition if they do find a little gem then that will also help their income. By them actually grading academies, Parents of youngsters are going to look for the best for their youngsters talent. (As the majority do now re schools) Without the feed of decent talent coming through some will struggle to survive. Not sure I like this idea of going outside a catchment area though. A/ I am not sure it is good for the youngsters to away from home for the time they are. B/ The distance they are from home. C/ What is it going to do for the smaller clubs academies Brighton, Pompey, Bournemouth, Possibly Reading if Saints get Grade one Status. Brighton outside at the moment as is Reading. Pompey and Bournemouth already losing out to a degree with Saints. Incidentally I am not trying to cast aspersions on any of the clubs mentioned. I personally think it is going to make things a lot more difficult for these types of team.
