(Also.. grab a pillow Sparkey) Before I continue, this is not a point-scoring thread with our rivals and I would very much urge any other supporters to please take the title with a pinch of salt as it is very much tongue in cheek. This is purely bringing some well deserved recognition to Neal Ardley and previous regimes that have helped nurture over a decade of talent at the club since City's academy status brought in under the Sam Hammam era. Something as a fan of nurturing young talent, I am immensely proud of. If we look at the current Wales squad, Rob Earnshaw, Joe Ledley, Chris Gunter, Aaron Ramsey and Darcy Blake all proudly pulled on the Wales shirt and gave fantastic displays for their national team in the last couple of games. Add in Adam Matthews and of course James Collins and we have a fantastic representation from the Cardiff City youth/academy products. Neal Ardley, a former player at the club has worked wonders since his appointment as academy director a fair few years ago now. He can claim a fair amount of credit for the likes of Darcy Blake, Aaron Ramsey (Terry Burton was key to his progression too and needs recognition for his part) and Adam Matthews in particular and is currently working with some fantastic prospects like the highly rated Ibby Farah, Nat Jarvis and Alex Evans amongst others. He has also honed some English prospects too.. The emergence of Joe Ralls, who had a fantasticly assured game (considering his age) for Cardiff recently against Huddersfield in the League Cup 2nd round and of course Aaron Wildig who many City fans have a lot of time for after his breakthrough to the 1st XI a couple of years ago, his game against Chelsea was testament to his ability, holding his own in a depleted Cardiff City squad that day to a lot of plaudits from press, Chelsea players and our own players alike. Not forgetting Josh Maggenis, who I felt was unluckily released after breaking his leg against Blackpool in the 2009/10 season and is now plying his trade in the SPL with Aberdeen, seen him on the scoresheet once or twice, not bad for a Goalkeeper turned Striker.. I managed to catch the Cardiff City development side play Llanelli at Steboneath last week and was stood next to the away dugout and observed Ardley very keenly, who is clearly an avid modern "student" of the game. There was obviously a gread deal of respect for him from the players on the pitch, the players warming up on the sidelines and his assistant and coaching staff. Cardiff lost the game 2-1 but at times played some decent stuff. I was slightly concerned in the summer when he was linked not only to the vacant manager's position at our club, but also Watford's after Malky signed for us. It was also mooted that he should be promoted to the senior side too.. Personally, I for one am glad that the new generation of players coming through will still thrive under his guidance very much in the "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" ideal. Previous regimes at the club have been credited with Rob Earnshaw, Joe Ledley and James Collins too.. I'm not quite sure who were responsible for these individuals devlopment within Cardiff City (anybody want to clue me in, please feel free), however I am forever grateful to the people behind Earnie's beaming smile and somersault after his goals, Ledley's goal at Wembley and Ginge's crunching tackles. Players who are still playing at a very good level of football and have commanded some impressive transfer fees in the past (exception of Ledley of course). Couple this with Swansea City's recent promotion to the Premier League, which in my own opinion and looking past the rivalry, can only be good for the exposure of Welsh football and their progression of the particularly impressive Joey Allen, wwith great balance on the ball and tremendous passing ability and to an extent Jazz Richards, who has impressed from last season. I'm not too clued up on the youth system in Swansea apart from them missing out on Adam Matthews (again any Swansea fans care to fill us in please do so) but I am certain that after last season, they will have cast their net further afield and not allow players of Mattthews' obvious talent to slip through their fingers. Rodgers, another astute manager will no doubt be keen to address this. Rodgers can also be credited for the successes of Ashley Williams and Neil Taylor, arguably this can only be reasonable credit as they were discovered by other clubs (and previous manager with Williams) and not through their own youth system, that is just my opinion.. However, they are only household names now because of Swansea City. It can also be argued that Swansea's style of play may have influenced Speed's current methods, which, in the last two games have finally bore fruit, for which every Welshman can be proud of. When we look at it as purely Welsh fans, the future after the 2 very solid performances can be nothing but bright, and we can finally push above the bloody Faroe bloody Islands! So long as Speed builds on this now, we can only get stronger! Both Bluebirds and Swans can both be proud in the part they have played in the current Welsh regime. I for one am immensely proud of my club's contribution. Cheers for reading guys - now then somebody wake up Sparkey..
A nice read, Benni, and good to see you posting again. You can't really argue with anything you've stated! The Swans have been fairly notoriously inept when it comes to sourcing youth products over recent times, and the system is hopefully going to be overhauled asap, and not a minute too soon. We have to hope that our academy helps as much as Cardiff's has in terms of the national game, as I feel these will be the countries best bets for producing quality international players as the years go on. Especially for the Swans, we have the whole of West Wales as a catchment area, and how many youngsters do we have coming through? Pitifully few, in honesty. In my lifetime how many youth products have broken through to be first team regulars to this day... Joe Allen... Stuart Roberts for a bit and now he's LoW, Jason Price is still doing it... not a huge amount jump to the tip of my tongue. SPARKEY! WAKE UP!
A good post Benni. It's a positive legacy from the Sam era and the introduction of the under 21s ahead of next seasons 21s league is a further forward looking move for the club. The concept of playing premiership 21s to improve skill levels and LoW and other non-league sides (Weston-super-mud) to toughen them up is well thought out. As you say, not only the development of Welsh players, but those of other nationalities that allow us to generate fees should be considered. I put Camerone Jerome in the last category togeter with young Nat Jarvis who is considering representing Antigua. All in all, sound foundations from the vision of Sam to the execution of Ardly and his predessesors. I seem to remember Sam being quoted as saying 'no youngster crosses the Seven bridge unless we don't want him'. As with you, I know more of the set up of our accademy than the Swans youth sides but they obviously have talent available. Honing both machines to provide a steady supply for both clubs and the national side is key. And if the Swans have any other cast offs like Mathews, i'd be happy with their seconds.
Good post Benni and a few thought provoking items. I agree that Wales needs a conveyer belt of young talent from both the Bluebirds and the Swans and with the cheque book mentality of the likes of Man City & Chelsea it only takes 1 decent transfer to pay for the academy for years.
Very interesting thread Benni. Swansea have a few promising youngsters too. I know of one Cardiff-born lad that is now in the Swansea squad. I think he's only played a few Carling Cup games so far for the Jacks. He still lives around the corner from us (is a friend of my son).
Nice post M8 This has to be the way forward, because with the best will in the world, unless there is a huge (and unlikely) shift in the scheme of things well we are never going to be able to compete financially with the likes of Man City and Chelsea, so home grown players will become more and more important, now we need to improve the scouting system so that local lads like Bellamy and Bale don't slip through the net
Benni great post and always appreciate your comments on WoL aswell Thanks for taking the time to put your thoughts down
Thanks lads, appreciate the compliments on the piece, I've always had a lot of time for Ardley since his playing days and when he came back as a coach and straight in as head of the academy I was automatically impressed with how much faith the club had in him for someone who had come straight out of playing into coaching. Interesting about the lad playing for Swansea from Cardiff.. almost a reverse of the Matthews situation with us. I wish the boy luck. The academy, touched upon within the thread, is in my opinion the best thing Sam did for us for recognition within the game. As you say Proph, the likes of Bale and Bellers can not be allowed to slip through the net again. Although I believe Bale went to live with his father in Southampton? I may be wrong however. (it's been known.. )
Incidentally boys, at the development game at Steboneath, I met up with a fellow Cardiff City "tweeter" who is a top bloke! (He was slightly disappointed he wasn't mentioned in the original article haha) For those on twitter his username is @Blueladd and get following. Big all round sportsman. But careful if he challenges to any of you on FIFA on Xbox 360.. he is the jammiest bastard ever! Cheers
Nice to see a thread on here that's football related pop up! I was beginning to lose hope! Thumbs up from me Benni (i don't seem to have the emoticon!?).
Yes Benni - similarities to Mathews indeed. He was actually around at ours on Fri, and off to play Sunderland for Swan reserves on Tues. He seems to be doing very well, good luck to him indeed.
