Belenenses FC are currently top of the second division called A Liga da Honra. Belenenses is the Portuguese equivalent of "Bristolians" and Bristol. The town is Belem which in Portuguese is their word for Bethlehem. Yes the black and white shirted team is Boavista a district of Porto. They are now languishing in Div 3C (regionalised) Belenenses FC are two points above Sporting Lisbon 2 (Reserves) and there are also the second strings from Benfica, Maritimo (Madeira), Porto, Braga and Vitoria Guimaraes in a league of 22 teams. The reserve teams are not eligible for promotion. Quaint it is not but rather scary IMO. How long before the Big Five or Six in the Premier try to do the same thing in the Championship or League One? Either by using their muscle to get their reserve teams in or by virtually taking over a club near them to become their second string. I call it frightening for the football future of English cities and towns outside of the Great and Greedy league!
They do it in Spain as well but fans would not accept it its like if rovers became ours I'd be upset to say the least Centre is a good idea if the coaching is up to scratch and the costs were cheaper for more coaches
Wimbledon became MK Dons, Watford are a feeder club, South Wales re-brand ... Fans in England let the money men run the game how they want. This centre is a piss in the ocean and along with the new rules for academies might even make things worse = Quality coaching for elite kids who will be creamed off by the big clubs, who still leave them in their reserves, even if they are any good and send out starting XI's full of Johnny Foreigner.
Who will get to attend this Centre? "Students" there on a permanent basis, so very elitist. Or they stay with their clubs and go there for short periods on a regular basis? What level of ability to go there? All Academy registered youngsters or just those with Premier clubs? Is there any definitive document / web site that gives this detail?
It has luxury hotels mind that will help kids improve their first touch all over England. Meanwhile clubs like Crewe who have a fine record of producing talented players are donwgrading their coaching set up's.
