The Academy

[Trafford]

Given the debate that we've had over recent years about the success or otherwise of the Academy, I thought that the article on the main site was very interesting: -

"The auditors gave us special praise for our player productivity over the years. The Premier League's scoring system sees us ranked as the eighth best producer of talent in the last three years.

"We haven't been ranked outside the top 20 in the last 12 years; this is what sets us aside from other clubs. To me this is more important than the categorisation, it takes years to build a reputation for player development like this, it doesn't happen overnight.

"The challenge now is to continue to improve the programme we deliver because we want to not just because we are told we have to."

Read more at http://www.sufc.co.uk/news/article/20130704-academy-recognition-895595.aspx#30gEg5hjK01RwADF.99​

To me this is tangible evidence that the Academy works and that it doesn't get the recognition that it deserves.

 

[WeltonBlade]

I agree Trafford.

But it also begs the question about the monumental mismanagement it has taken to get us into the present state we're in financially and in terms of league position.

Given the track record, isn't right to assume we'd either be much further up the league ladder, or have a few quid? Not devoid of both.

 

[ZoneManWilf]

I agree Trafford.

But it also begs the question about the monumental mismanagement it has taken to get us into the present state we're in financially and in terms of league position.

Given the track record, isn't right to assume we'd either be much further up the league ladder, or have a few quid? Not devoid of both.

Exactly. If we're in the top 20 clubs for more than a decade in finding and nurturing young footballing talent, why has that translated to finishing 49th in the league system last year?

 

[Balham]

Exactly. If we're in the top 20 clubs for more than a decade in finding and nurturing young footballing talent, why has that translated to finishing 49th in the league system last year?

Because until this summer, the emphasis has been on finding players who are playing at their maximum ability. That has proven an expensive mistake and we've been forced to sell the few valuable assets (young players with potential) that we've had.

I've said it before and I'll say it again: the first domino went over when Terry Robinson and Kevin McCabe appointed Bryan Robson in 2007.

 

[Silent Blade]

Our Academy will not be as good as it was, the PL now has more control of our Academy players than it was before (we wont be able to get the £1M fee like we did for Mellis a few years ago if one of Academy players want to move to another club without having signed a full time contract for us). It is the same it is at Wendy, Udders and Barnsley. Yes we did get good players through the Academy in the past (we had more control of our Academy players then) and we still might do in the future but we now have to take more calculation risks when it comes to offering full time contracts (we might make a very good offer contract to a player who looked very good when young but fails to fulfil his potential when he gets older etc)

 

[1889]

What the club needs to do is take advantage of its favourable geographical position, create and maintain an effective scouting system and continue to nurture and develop young talent in order to build on its excellent reputation. Only by having faith in the gifted youngsters and giving them the opportunity of first team football will we steal a march on Premier league clubs who'd be reluctant to offer such a chance. As a consequence, I believe players would be more inclined to stay with us in order to enhance their reputation and enjoy first team football, whilst future generations would surely aspire to join the club, knowing that they too could get their chance.

 

[scrap]

Talent in Sport in South Yorks, is remarkable. Thats in all Sports. Its out there, find it.

 

[OllyBlade]

What the club needs to do is take advantage of its favourable geographical position, create and maintain an effective scouting system and continue to nurture and develop young talent in order to build on its excellent reputation. Only by having faith in the gifted youngsters and giving them the opportunity of first team football will we steal a march on Premier league clubs who'd be reluctant to offer such a chance. As a consequence, I believe players would be more inclined to stay with us in order to enhance their reputation and enjoy first team football, whilst future generations would surely aspire to join the club, knowing that they too could get their chance.

Arguably I think this process is already happening, with Harry nearing 100 apps and George 50. And maybe Matt Lowton has shown that it is better to leave once you have got experience than do what Jordan Slew did for example and leave before you've proven you can do it week after week. Although certain fans were unhappy that more youngsters weren't blooded last season, and I somewhat agree, I think in this area the club are doing the right thing overall. The problem is in other areas of player recruitment.

 

[mattbianco1]

Arguably I think this process is already happening, with Harry nearing 100 apps and George 50. And maybe Matt Lowton has shown that it is better to leave once you have got experience than do what Jordan Slew did for example and leave before you've proven you can do it week after week. Although certain fans were unhappy that more youngsters weren't blooded last season, and I somewhat agree, I think in this area the club are doing the right thing overall. The problem is in other areas of player recruitment.

Spot on mate.

The academy has kept us going. Unfortunately we lose our players but we need to sell them.

Imagine if Wednesday had an academy like us!! They'd be in the prem. they've been badly managed and run over the years so an academy like ours would have kept them going... Glad they haven't mind you

 

[Fazak]

What the club needs to do is take advantage of its favourable geographical position, create and maintain an effective scouting system and continue to nurture and develop young talent in order to build on its excellent reputation. Only by having faith in the gifted youngsters and giving them the opportunity of first team football will we steal a march on Premier league clubs who'd be reluctant to offer such a chance. As a consequence, I believe players would be more inclined to stay with us in order to enhance their reputation and enjoy first team football, whilst future generations would surely aspire to join the club, knowing that they too could get their chance.

I agree, let’s see if David Weir and his staff can build on what we clearly already have in respect of the Academy, one of the few jewels in our crown. We clearly need to continue developing young players, not just with the necessary technical skills and physical attributes but also the confidence and realistic self belief to use those skills to maximum effect on the pitch. Brian Clough was a master at getting inside players’ heads and developing players psychologically. He applied this approach to players of all ages and apparent abilities e.g. John McGovern.

This is why I believe that with such a young squad this season, a positive and supportive approach towards the players from the fans will be more important than ever to reinforce, and not undo, what the coaches are doing during the week. They will undoubtedly need patience at times but should see this as a medium to long term project not necessarily a quick fix, although there is no harm in aspiring to that if we can.

Importantly, we also need to see if the Board delivers its side of the bargain and turns all the management speak that it has used over recent months into reality, creating a stronger, more successful and viable football club. Given the apparent success of the Academy over recent years, greater clarity with regard to the costs and income associated with it would provide a good baseline to start from.

We can then monitor progress as we shoot through the leagues and take Europe by storm............................. Sorry just woken up!

 

[ZoneManWilf]

Imagine if Wednesday had an academy like us!! They'd be in the prem. they've been badly managed and run over the years so an academy like ours would have kept them going... Glad they haven't mind you

I don't get that point. If that's true then why aren't we in the prem? Surely what you say is a bigger indictment, on the way we've been run over the last decade.

 

[Silent Blade]

Imagine if Wednesday had an academy like us!! They'd be in the prem. they've been badly managed and run over the years so an academy like ours would have kept them going... Glad they haven't mind you

Wendy now have the same Academy status as us. We have produced more players than they have in the last 12 years but in the future the PL now has more control over the players in ours and Wendy Academy (same as Udders and Barnsley) unless the players have signed full time contracts (picking the right players for full time contracts is like pot luck!).

Like Zone Man Wilf, I am baffled with you saying "If Wendy, had an academy like us, they will be in the Prem" Can you explain what you mean by this?

 

[Bergen Blade]

One for Foxy or DazBlade88, could you put a few names on faces here?

 

[Sharrowblade]

Travis Binnion, Rhino and Nick Cox in the red

 

[DazBlade88]

I can name a few. I'll try and work on the rest because I know alot of U16 names but not many faces! I'll be able to update it once the friendlies start

Ones that I don't know faces for: Jorome Slew, Roger Bushiri, Jack Waters, Dan Cockerline

52 - Connor Dimaio
Between 52&50 - Jason Paling
50 - Julian Banton
71 - Based on his height I think it's Fahad Ishmail
56 - Gareth Owen
53 - Jake Eyre
Between 53 & 58 - Joel Coustrain
58 - Elliot Ptak
Between 58 & Unsworth - Ben Whiteman
68 - Louis Reed?
61 - Dominic Calvert Lewin
69 -
59 - Kyle Scarisbrick
55 - Jamie-Dean McDonagh
54 - Otis Khan
70 - Looks a lot like Mickael Patrodikromo to me?
62 -
Random Head - ?
65 - Kier Heh
66 -
63 - Jake Eastwood
64 -
72 -
67 -

 

[raul]

Bet the bloke in the blue t is in charge of sanding floors, painting fences and waxing cars.

 

[UnitedBlade]

Interesting if it is Mickaël Partodikromo.

I've found this link that suggests his Dad has traveled over presumably to get him installed at Reading. You wouldn't think he'd go anywhere near Shirecliffe if he was going to ignore the "verbal" agreement. Unless, of course, some other agent has got involved and his dad didn't like it and he wanted him to come to the Lane (unlikely I know)

http://www.lnc.nc/article/actualite-en-direct/partodikromo-vers-reading

"Sounded at first to Sheffield United, the International Under-19 Caledonian Mickaël Partodikromo could eventually join Reading FC.

Announced this week in the 2nd division club (which is equivalent to the third division) Sheffield United, hope Caledonian Mickaël Partodikromo could finally engage with the club Reading. The verbal agreement that its representatives gave Sheffield have prompted the club Reading FC to bid. Currently in England to defend the interests of his son, Bernard Partodikromo could not be contacted to confirm this information. Reading FC finished in 19th place in the Premier League this season and was relegated to the second division. "

Strange - I assume we will eventually lose out and he goes on to become Footballer of the Year ...............

It could, of course, just be someone who looks like him

 

[Grecian2000]

68 - Louis Reed?

Oh, please God he makes it and we can have Lou Reed in the team.

 

[Sharrowblade]

Oh, please God he makes it and we can have Lou Reed in the team.

Now that would be a 'perfect day'

 

[DazBlade88]

Interesting if it is Mickaël Partodikromo.

I've found this link that suggests his Dad has traveled over presumably to get him installed at Reading. You wouldn't think he'd go anywhere near Shirecliffe if he was going to ignore the "verbal" agreement. Unless, of course, some other agent has got involved and his dad didn't like it and he wanted him to come to the Lane (unlikely I know)

http://www.lnc.nc/article/actualite-en-direct/partodikromo-vers-reading

"Sounded at first to Sheffield United, the International Under-19 Caledonian Mickaël Partodikromo could eventually join Reading FC.

Announced this week in the 2nd division club (which is equivalent to the third division) Sheffield United, hope Caledonian Mickaël Partodikromo could finally engage with the club Reading. The verbal agreement that its representatives gave Sheffield have prompted the club Reading FC to bid. Currently in England to defend the interests of his son, Bernard Partodikromo could not be contacted to confirm this information. Reading FC finished in 19th place in the Premier League this season and was relegated to the second division. "

Strange - I assume we will eventually lose out and he goes on to become Footballer of the Year ...............

It could, of course, just be someone who looks like him

I heard about that too and posted it in the thread about him, that's why I was unsure about whether it was him or not. It looks so much like him but after all that the other week I can't see it being him!

 

[awblade]

Who has actually come through Reading's academy though? I can only think of the two keepers, Federici and McCarthy, and Julian Kelly, the full back.

 

[metty]

Now that would be a 'perfect day'

or a walk on the wild side

 

[UnitedBlade]

or a walk on the wild side

I'm waiting for the man to make his debut. I believe he's pretty good so it could happen.

 

[Guesty]

I've heard he's quite Vicious in the tackle.

 

[Silent Blade]

One for Foxy or DazBlade88, could you put a few names on faces here?

when was the photo taken? Are any of them in the coming season's u16s squad (my lad's age group for the coming season)

 

[DazBlade88]

Can't believe I missed this one:

64 - Ioan Evans

 

[KenMcnaughtsNuts]

Bet the bloke in the blue t is in charge of sanding floors, painting fences and waxing cars.

I think he used to play keyboards for D-Ream.

 

[Beighton_Blade]

when was the photo taken? Are any of them in the coming season's u16s squad (my lad's age group for the coming season)

The guy in that photo (centre in blue shirt), is a colleague of mine - Steve Judge, who as well as being lucky enough to work with my good self, is also a British, European and World Paratriathlon Champion.

He did all that after recovering from a horrible car crash which not only threatened his life, but also resulted in many doctors telling him he would be lucky to ever walk again.

Since this, he has gone on to compete across the world in the above competitions, where he not only runs, but also cycles and swims as part of the event. One of the most determined, disciplined and positive guys i've met, and certainly puts a lot of other people (including myself) to shame in terms of athleticism and professionalism.

He told me he was visiting the academy a few weeks ago to do a talk, said he thought it went well, and had been asked to do a speach to the kids now - if they can adopt just a fraction of Steve's dedication and charactaristics into thier own careers they will without doubt improve their chances of making it as a professional footballer (hopefully at SUFC).

Hopefully his story can do the trick and inspire all the lads at the Academy to put in the hard work required to achieve their goals!

#UTB

 

[Pedro Verde]

Sounds like a very inspiring guy

 

[Philip Reed]

One for Foxy or DazBlade88, could you put a few names on faces here?
coaches john dungworth and travis binnion, connor dimao, jason paling, julian banton , michael boating, gareth owen, jake eyre, joel coustrain, elliot ptak, ben whiteman, coach dave unsworth, academy manager nick cox, louis reed, dominic calvert lewin, jake wright, kyle scarisbrick, jamie mcdonagh, Otis khan, mika ? dan cockerline, kler heh, robbie fixter, ishmail fahad, jake eastwood, ioan evans, joe cheeseman, michael kedman