Our Youth talent, clearly emerging... Will they stick with us? I hope so. I have been casting my mind back to some of our bright young Youth Squad who have left far too early and wonder what good it did them? And whether they would have maybe progressed more in their careers if they had just learned their trade a little better in familiar surroundings. Cotterill - Money was good so can see why we sold, but he has struggled more and more ever since, when he was quite literally tearing this league up! Scott Golbourne - Left us for Reading, zero prospect, ended up with Exeter 2 divisions below us. Joe Anyinsah - Someone I knew, and left purely for the money he was offered by Preston, and has stated he always regretted it, now playing conference football I believe. Other than Leroy Lita (who was Chelsea's youth product, not really ours) I can't think of any youth who has left us and truly benefited from it. Liam Rosenior maybe, but again, we trained him as a striker all his youth, the day he moved, he got shipped to right back, so don't think we can't take credit for his development really, given RB is radically different from and would involve educating all over again in that position practically. Are there anymore you can think of? If they were smart, our boys flourishing at the moment, really ought to seriously think about staying even if we are in this league for a couple more years.
Stay with us - our new policy gives youngsters a chance - this will attract players to our academy (all long term stuff so does not have an immediate impact)
Top guy was Matty Hill.......lived down the road from me and saw him a few times out with his Mrs. Always had time to say hello.
We had a good team back then. Hill, Mickey Bell, Thorpe, Murray, Steve (suntan man) Jones If we lose on Saturday at Crewe I reckon SOD might be in real trouble
I went to school with Matt Hill, I just started year 7 when he was in year 11. Really nice guy, never knew he was on the books at Bristol City, and he certainly didn't have the attitude of a guy who was going to be a professional footballer. I think he left 24/25 though, so we probably saw the best of him. Although can't really think of a left back we have had as good as him since season in season out, very reliable.
