Futures U19 at Dronfield Town

[Ball_Sup (Phil)]

Here's one that might intrigue a few. I've just watched SUFC Futures U19 win 6-1 away at Dronfield Town.

I put - Hassan Ayari Football Little Messi - into YouTube Search and this is the link.




Posted in 2009. Six year old showing off his skills. Got over 10 MILLION views on YouTube. Promoting a Coaching School. So, naturally, they dubbed him Little Messi. Anyway, he's played Number 10 for United at Dronfield tonight. And scored the third in a routine 6-1 win. Naturally, there's more about Beer on the Blog than him.
Read here
https://ball-sup.blogspot.com/2019/01/youtube-sensation.html

 

[Birdwell Blade]

Wow, some skills! What is the under 19s setup about by the way? Can’t see anything about it on the official club site?

 

[Ball_Sup (Phil)]

Wow, some skills! What is the under 19s setup about by the way? Can’t see anything about it on the official club site?

There are U19 & U21 teams playing as Sheffield United Futures. (The following is my spin, not the official line). The Futures is one of the things I am most proud of at this great club. A football & college based program. The bit I like most is that it can be an 'exit" from the Academy. That's mainly the U21 team. If kids aren't going to make it at the Academy, they can still continue to play football while studying at college. They're in a small shop window, from which they might get picked up by a local non-league team, they can continue to enjoy playing & they get an education & qualifications that can help them in life. It's the club saying to players who aren't quite good enough.
You're one of our own. We're Sheffield United. We look after our lads. We don't just cast you aside. Arm around you. You can still wear the shirt & badge while you get set up towards your non-football life.
Superb.....
The Futures can also be a second chance. Youngsters develop at different rates. Some kids will get a second wind. Keenan Ferguson was sub for the Academy U23s away at Crewe on Monday. Sam Graham took his place in the back three. Keenan came through the Futures to win a place at the Academy. Here's the story from The Star.

https://www.thestar.co.uk/sport/foo...ing-big-rewards-at-bramall-lane-1-8585760/amp

The U19 Futures (the team from last night) is more often used as "Academy Lite". It's the players who might be in contention for the Academy U18 Saturday side, who play Leeds, Forest, SWFC, etc. If players need game time, or something needs trying out, they might get a midweek shirt for the Futures U19. That's the context of Hassan playing at Dronfield last night. He's played for the Academy U18 this season (I think). And, he's been up at Stocksbridge on U23 game day as part of the set up. Although he hasn't made the final squad (I don't think). Hope my attempt at explanation helps.

 

[Birdwell Blade]

Brilliant explanation, thanks for taking the time out to do that. Something else to be proud of as an SUFC supporter.

 

[Balham]

Ball_Sup (Phil) United always used to put a real focus on the academic side of the youth programme - my mum taught maths at Castle College and her GSCE resit classes had a steady stream of United scholars through as Ron Reid was adamant that there was more to life than football. Fail your exams at 16? You resit them (I think mum said Phil Jagielka got a B second time round). The creation and evolution of the Futures programme shows that there is still a chance football can save its soul.

 

[bornablade]

Excellent explanation. As you say something we should all be proud of.

We might not win much but reading this and other posts such as the thanks the Barnet fans gave us really makes you proud to be a Blade.

 

[Rusty view]

Once a Blade, Always a Blade

 

[Ball_Sup (Phil)]

Stuff like this matters from a football business sense as well. When "the next David Brooks" is binned out of Premier League Club's Academy. And him & his parents are thinking of other clubs and they ask....
David (or similar) has already had a setback at Man City (or similar), we're worried what might happen to him longer term if he doesn't make it with you. What reassurances can you give about how he will be treated & what sort of education he'll get?

Travis can say - just come with me, have a coffee, and I'll explain the Sheffield United Futures program to you.....

Bingo, the next Brooks, £12m of business - all because of some lads kicking a ball at Dronfield Town.
This stuff matters...

 

[BushBlade]

Stuff like this matters from a football business sense as well. When "the next David Brooks" is binned out of Premier League Club's Academy. And him & his parents are thinking of other clubs and they ask....
David (or similar) has already had a setback at Man City (or similar), we're worried what might happen to him longer term if he doesn't make it with you. What reassurances can you give about how he will be treated & what sort of education he'll get?

Travis can say - just come with me, have a coffee, and I'll explain the Sheffield United Futures program to you.....

Bingo, the next Brooks, £12m of business - all because of some lads kicking a ball at Dronfield Town.
This stuff matters...

And, morally, it’s the right thing to do.