Deadbat
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Academy / Development side
A huge thanks to @goodpinch (twitter handle) for his help in most of this section and as always has helped me a fair bit to fill in the gaps etc. Indeed, a good section (majority!) of below was taken from @goodpinch who gave me lots of details on the competitions, form and players! He gave me all the details on competitions, how the teams fared at each age group and all the player stats (NOTE : THESE WILL BE ADDED ON IN A WEEK AFTER THE U21 SEASON IS COMPLETED SO WILL UPDATE ON THIS THREAD). Fantastic research from good pinch!
The Blades continued to run an Elite Player Performance Plan Category 2 academy in the Premier League’s Professional Development League, for an eleventh season. The senior age category reverted to U21 after six seasons at U23. The younger age category continued at U18. With three academies losing their Category 1 status and no clubs leaving or joining from Category 3, there were 20 clubs split evenly into two regional sections - North and South. Again, the Blades were placed into the North section and played the other nine teams in their section home and away plus the ten teams in the South section once - a total of 28 league games. The two teams finishing highest in each section qualified for the four-team playoffs to determine the national champions. The U21s were invited again to play in the Premier League Cup, a competition mainly for those Category 1 clubs who aren’t playing in UEFA youth competitions but with a number of invited non-Category 1 clubs to make up the numbers. The U18s entered the 71st FA Youth Cup. They were also one of three Category 2 clubs to be invited to play in the Category 1 U18 Premier League Cup. Because of this, they did not enter the Category 2 U18 Professional Development League Cup.
The sides a U21 and u18 level have once again been very successful in what they have done in terms to be playing better teams at this level but can only beat what you are up against and to be top of both age groups is quite an achievement. We have had long unbeaten runs at both levels too. This is all against a backdrop of a number of players going on loan or being involved in the first team. The net effect is the u18’s move up to the U21’s and this makes the results even more incredible. Big credit to the coaches and the players. Yes, it is often seen as about preparing players and trying to find 1st team talent but even at the big clubs not everyone breaks through. If you get one player from a squad/age group to be a regular eventually at first team level then you have done well. We of course have to compete with a number of clubs who have better set ups and facilities.
Overcoming these inferior facilities and not being a Grade 1 Academy is going to be a challenge but as Lester and Geary have pointed out the coaching quality will remain high throughout the levels even if we don’t have the best pitches/changing rooms and gymnasiums/hydrotherapy (we now have a portacabin for this!) etc.
The fact the Academy is Category B when most at this level and some lower is Category A means we are not going to get the top talent and teams like Burnley and Leeds are both now Category A. However, with the reputation of the club’s production and the coaches there present hopefully if we can move into the next level, we can produce top level players again. That has to be way forward. Despite some feeling we have not had as many come through in recent years, we do not realise how well we did to produce Maguire, Walker, Brooks, Calvert Lewin, Ramsdale etc. Jebbison, Gordon, Seriki, Arblaster, Andre Brooks have all played first team games for players that are very young and all came through the ranks even if signed from other academies. I watched us recently play Wednesday at this level and the way the lads’ played football was admirable. There is clearly an ethos to do it the right way. The Owls players looked bigger and stronger and maybe older but the fact is we are more about producing the right assets required in terms of how they play is great to see. The emphasis is placed on skill, expressing yourself and passing the ball but the fact the age groups do this and still win is fascinating really. There are clearly things working well but it is just frustrating we cannot make that next step in terms of level they play at and the facilities. This would help us attract even more talent.
Derek Geary ran the u18’s for a few years and then when Lester was elevated to the first team was named head of the academy operations and now the under 18’s are run by Paul Quinn who was appointed before this season. He was manager at Brighouse and Tadcaster Albion before running the under 14’s at the academy and has worked his way up.
At the U21 level since Heckingbottom has moved on, United named Michael Collins as the coach at this level and he has done really well helping bring some of the younger players through and ensure despite a number going on loan or being involved with the first team, we continue to play the right way and keep winning too – often against more experienced players. Recall a very strong Burnley side getting pumped in a game at the Lane towards the end of the season when we had a far more inexperienced side in contract. Collins had a brief spell as Bradford manager and seems to have hit the ground running with results and performance. It is probably forgotten about as we did not seen him involved day to day or heard from him but we appointed Adie Boothroyd as a coach/mentor and consultant but he left to manage Indian Super League club Jamshedpur.
Some of the u18’s/U21’s interchange – many are at different points of their development of course but it is not uncommon for players to feature for both too and of course some have been around the first team. We have not used many senior players as over age players for the U21’s but not many teams do this anymore and that is how it should be.
One issue regardless of the facilities is now recruitment even at this level. The EFL sanction of the transfer embargo also extends down to academy level regarding professional deals, as was the case when their attempts to sign Chelsea youngster Silko Thomas and Rochdale's Ethan Brierley were blocked as a result of the punishment. We recently had Ryan Giggs son, Zak on trial. If Giggs impresses he could be offered a scholarship but even that would be dependent on the circumstances around the deal. They would still be prevented from this if a compensation fee is required either now or in the future, for example.
--
Season summaries
Competitions
U21 Professional Development League (“U21PDL”)
The Blades came into the campaign as reigning North section champions for a second successive season, although they had failed to go on and win the national playoffs on either occasion.
With the termination of the agreement that allowed the Blades Women and senior academy team to use Chesterfield’s Technique Stadium, the team moved the bulk of its home fixtures to York Community Stadium, the home of York City.
After losing two of the opening three games, the Blades went on a run which saw 15 victories from the next 20 games with just one defeat to wrap up a third consecutive North title by the 23rd March.#
They were to face Bristol City in the semi finals of the play offs on Monday 15th May and hammered them 4-0 with Osula (3) and Marsh scoring and would go on to face Millwall in the final – to be played at the Den (maybe it should have been the Lane looking at how many points we got compared to our opponents in their respective league but Def Leppard had to be set up of course!).
Premier League Cup (“PLC”)
The Blades were placed in a group with two Category 1 academies, Crystal Palace and Newcastle United, together with the team that had beaten them in the previous year’s league playoffs, Bristol City. The teams played each other home and away during the World Cup break, aiming to finish in the top two and progress to the round of 16. The Blades played all of their home games first, losing to Crystal Palace but then beating both Bristol City and Newcastle United. The first two games were played at Bramall Lane and the third behind closed doors at Glanford Park, home of Scunthorpe United.
They won their first away game against Newcastle United at the Northumberland FA’s Whitley Park ground but then lost heavily at Bristol City’s training ground. Results elsewhere meant the Blades needed a point against Crystal Palace at Champion Hill, home of Dulwich Hamlet. Defeat would see the Eagles progress instead.
The Blades secured the point with a 1-1 draw and progressed into the last 16 where they were given a tough away draw to Category 1 academy, Southampton. Despite a valiant effort at Testwood Stadium, home of AFC Totton, the Blades lost 1-0 and went out of the competition.
U18 Professional Development League (“U18PDL”)
As both reigning national and North section champions, the young Blades had a lot to live up to but a very average start to the season with three wins and three defeats from the first seven games left the Blades very much in midtable.
A very good Barnsley side moved into an almost unassailable lead at the top of the table, however, a run of 11 wins from the next 13 games pushed the Blades into contention for the remaining playoff spot. The Blades trailed off a bit at the end but still finished second and then ended up facing Charlton (a side they faced last season in the final) at the Valley in the semi-finals of the playoffs but got smashed 5-1 as the Addicks had an older side on the whole with the Blades having a number of younger players starting.
FA Youth Cup (“FAYC”)
The Blades U18s entered the competition at the third-round stage with a home tie against West Ham United, who at the time were the best placed youth team in the country. As with the women’s cup games played during the World Cup, the game was scheduled to be played at Scunthorpe United’s Glanford Park. Following a postponement due to heavy rain, it was finally played at North Street, home of Alfreton Town. Despite a late goal from Sam Aston, the Blades went out 3-1.
U18 Premier League Cup (“U18PLC”)
The Blades were invited as one of the best three ranked Category 2 academies to compete in the competition, alongside all of the Category 1 academies. They were placed in a group with Brighton and Hove Albion, Crystal Palace and Leeds United - all Category 1 academies. This was a tougher assignment than the PLC; the teams played each other once with just the group champions progressing to the quarter final stage. The Blades got off to a great start beating Leeds United at their Thorp Arch training centre before unfortunately losing to Crystal Palace at Shirecliffe. But then a win at Shirecliffe in their final group game against Brighton and Hove Albion, combined with a favourable result in the other game, saw the Blades top the group and claim a home tie in the quarter finals against Fulham.
The tie, played at Shirecliffe, saw a rampant Blades side run away with a 3-0 victory over their Category 1 counterparts and send them into the last four. The semi-final gave the Blades another home tie, this time against Tottenham Hotspur. The game at Shirecliffe, played at times in driving snow, looked to be heading into extra time when Spurs scored a last-minute winner to end the Blades fantastic run.
A huge thanks to @goodpinch (twitter handle) for his help in most of this section and as always has helped me a fair bit to fill in the gaps etc. Indeed, a good section (majority!) of below was taken from @goodpinch who gave me lots of details on the competitions, form and players! He gave me all the details on competitions, how the teams fared at each age group and all the player stats (NOTE : THESE WILL BE ADDED ON IN A WEEK AFTER THE U21 SEASON IS COMPLETED SO WILL UPDATE ON THIS THREAD). Fantastic research from good pinch!
The Blades continued to run an Elite Player Performance Plan Category 2 academy in the Premier League’s Professional Development League, for an eleventh season. The senior age category reverted to U21 after six seasons at U23. The younger age category continued at U18. With three academies losing their Category 1 status and no clubs leaving or joining from Category 3, there were 20 clubs split evenly into two regional sections - North and South. Again, the Blades were placed into the North section and played the other nine teams in their section home and away plus the ten teams in the South section once - a total of 28 league games. The two teams finishing highest in each section qualified for the four-team playoffs to determine the national champions. The U21s were invited again to play in the Premier League Cup, a competition mainly for those Category 1 clubs who aren’t playing in UEFA youth competitions but with a number of invited non-Category 1 clubs to make up the numbers. The U18s entered the 71st FA Youth Cup. They were also one of three Category 2 clubs to be invited to play in the Category 1 U18 Premier League Cup. Because of this, they did not enter the Category 2 U18 Professional Development League Cup.
The sides a U21 and u18 level have once again been very successful in what they have done in terms to be playing better teams at this level but can only beat what you are up against and to be top of both age groups is quite an achievement. We have had long unbeaten runs at both levels too. This is all against a backdrop of a number of players going on loan or being involved in the first team. The net effect is the u18’s move up to the U21’s and this makes the results even more incredible. Big credit to the coaches and the players. Yes, it is often seen as about preparing players and trying to find 1st team talent but even at the big clubs not everyone breaks through. If you get one player from a squad/age group to be a regular eventually at first team level then you have done well. We of course have to compete with a number of clubs who have better set ups and facilities.
Overcoming these inferior facilities and not being a Grade 1 Academy is going to be a challenge but as Lester and Geary have pointed out the coaching quality will remain high throughout the levels even if we don’t have the best pitches/changing rooms and gymnasiums/hydrotherapy (we now have a portacabin for this!) etc.
The fact the Academy is Category B when most at this level and some lower is Category A means we are not going to get the top talent and teams like Burnley and Leeds are both now Category A. However, with the reputation of the club’s production and the coaches there present hopefully if we can move into the next level, we can produce top level players again. That has to be way forward. Despite some feeling we have not had as many come through in recent years, we do not realise how well we did to produce Maguire, Walker, Brooks, Calvert Lewin, Ramsdale etc. Jebbison, Gordon, Seriki, Arblaster, Andre Brooks have all played first team games for players that are very young and all came through the ranks even if signed from other academies. I watched us recently play Wednesday at this level and the way the lads’ played football was admirable. There is clearly an ethos to do it the right way. The Owls players looked bigger and stronger and maybe older but the fact is we are more about producing the right assets required in terms of how they play is great to see. The emphasis is placed on skill, expressing yourself and passing the ball but the fact the age groups do this and still win is fascinating really. There are clearly things working well but it is just frustrating we cannot make that next step in terms of level they play at and the facilities. This would help us attract even more talent.
Derek Geary ran the u18’s for a few years and then when Lester was elevated to the first team was named head of the academy operations and now the under 18’s are run by Paul Quinn who was appointed before this season. He was manager at Brighouse and Tadcaster Albion before running the under 14’s at the academy and has worked his way up.
At the U21 level since Heckingbottom has moved on, United named Michael Collins as the coach at this level and he has done really well helping bring some of the younger players through and ensure despite a number going on loan or being involved with the first team, we continue to play the right way and keep winning too – often against more experienced players. Recall a very strong Burnley side getting pumped in a game at the Lane towards the end of the season when we had a far more inexperienced side in contract. Collins had a brief spell as Bradford manager and seems to have hit the ground running with results and performance. It is probably forgotten about as we did not seen him involved day to day or heard from him but we appointed Adie Boothroyd as a coach/mentor and consultant but he left to manage Indian Super League club Jamshedpur.
Some of the u18’s/U21’s interchange – many are at different points of their development of course but it is not uncommon for players to feature for both too and of course some have been around the first team. We have not used many senior players as over age players for the U21’s but not many teams do this anymore and that is how it should be.
One issue regardless of the facilities is now recruitment even at this level. The EFL sanction of the transfer embargo also extends down to academy level regarding professional deals, as was the case when their attempts to sign Chelsea youngster Silko Thomas and Rochdale's Ethan Brierley were blocked as a result of the punishment. We recently had Ryan Giggs son, Zak on trial. If Giggs impresses he could be offered a scholarship but even that would be dependent on the circumstances around the deal. They would still be prevented from this if a compensation fee is required either now or in the future, for example.
--
Season summaries
Competitions
U21 Professional Development League (“U21PDL”)
The Blades came into the campaign as reigning North section champions for a second successive season, although they had failed to go on and win the national playoffs on either occasion.
With the termination of the agreement that allowed the Blades Women and senior academy team to use Chesterfield’s Technique Stadium, the team moved the bulk of its home fixtures to York Community Stadium, the home of York City.
After losing two of the opening three games, the Blades went on a run which saw 15 victories from the next 20 games with just one defeat to wrap up a third consecutive North title by the 23rd March.#
They were to face Bristol City in the semi finals of the play offs on Monday 15th May and hammered them 4-0 with Osula (3) and Marsh scoring and would go on to face Millwall in the final – to be played at the Den (maybe it should have been the Lane looking at how many points we got compared to our opponents in their respective league but Def Leppard had to be set up of course!).
Premier League Cup (“PLC”)
The Blades were placed in a group with two Category 1 academies, Crystal Palace and Newcastle United, together with the team that had beaten them in the previous year’s league playoffs, Bristol City. The teams played each other home and away during the World Cup break, aiming to finish in the top two and progress to the round of 16. The Blades played all of their home games first, losing to Crystal Palace but then beating both Bristol City and Newcastle United. The first two games were played at Bramall Lane and the third behind closed doors at Glanford Park, home of Scunthorpe United.
They won their first away game against Newcastle United at the Northumberland FA’s Whitley Park ground but then lost heavily at Bristol City’s training ground. Results elsewhere meant the Blades needed a point against Crystal Palace at Champion Hill, home of Dulwich Hamlet. Defeat would see the Eagles progress instead.
The Blades secured the point with a 1-1 draw and progressed into the last 16 where they were given a tough away draw to Category 1 academy, Southampton. Despite a valiant effort at Testwood Stadium, home of AFC Totton, the Blades lost 1-0 and went out of the competition.
U18 Professional Development League (“U18PDL”)
As both reigning national and North section champions, the young Blades had a lot to live up to but a very average start to the season with three wins and three defeats from the first seven games left the Blades very much in midtable.
A very good Barnsley side moved into an almost unassailable lead at the top of the table, however, a run of 11 wins from the next 13 games pushed the Blades into contention for the remaining playoff spot. The Blades trailed off a bit at the end but still finished second and then ended up facing Charlton (a side they faced last season in the final) at the Valley in the semi-finals of the playoffs but got smashed 5-1 as the Addicks had an older side on the whole with the Blades having a number of younger players starting.
FA Youth Cup (“FAYC”)
The Blades U18s entered the competition at the third-round stage with a home tie against West Ham United, who at the time were the best placed youth team in the country. As with the women’s cup games played during the World Cup, the game was scheduled to be played at Scunthorpe United’s Glanford Park. Following a postponement due to heavy rain, it was finally played at North Street, home of Alfreton Town. Despite a late goal from Sam Aston, the Blades went out 3-1.
U18 Premier League Cup (“U18PLC”)
The Blades were invited as one of the best three ranked Category 2 academies to compete in the competition, alongside all of the Category 1 academies. They were placed in a group with Brighton and Hove Albion, Crystal Palace and Leeds United - all Category 1 academies. This was a tougher assignment than the PLC; the teams played each other once with just the group champions progressing to the quarter final stage. The Blades got off to a great start beating Leeds United at their Thorp Arch training centre before unfortunately losing to Crystal Palace at Shirecliffe. But then a win at Shirecliffe in their final group game against Brighton and Hove Albion, combined with a favourable result in the other game, saw the Blades top the group and claim a home tie in the quarter finals against Fulham.
The tie, played at Shirecliffe, saw a rampant Blades side run away with a 3-0 victory over their Category 1 counterparts and send them into the last four. The semi-final gave the Blades another home tie, this time against Tottenham Hotspur. The game at Shirecliffe, played at times in driving snow, looked to be heading into extra time when Spurs scored a last-minute winner to end the Blades fantastic run.
