AZ Gull
@SeagullsAcademy @seagullsacademy.bsky.social
Thanks, I didn't know that - Exclusive: Finley Stevens speaks after being released by Arsenal’s academy
Presumably he's a Sussex lad then?
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[Albion] ***Sussex Senior Cup, Semi Final 03.03 -19.15 KO, Brighton and Hove Albion v Worthing***
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Thanks, I didn't know that - Exclusive: Finley Stevens speaks after being released by Arsenal’s academy
Presumably he's a Sussex lad then?
AZ Gull
@SeagullsAcademy @seagullsacademy.bsky.social
That article said he'd been with the Arsenal since he was 6 but the distance is too far from Sussex to Arsenal for pre-foundation and foundation phase players to travel up. Unless he's from the very top end of Sussex?
AZ Gull
@SeagullsAcademy @seagullsacademy.bsky.social
Maybe the rules have tightened in the last 10 years? Maybe one of his parents has a "pad" in or around London?
Yes Brighton. Thats a heck of long time he was on Arsenal books and still only 17
AZ Gull
@SeagullsAcademy @seagullsacademy.bsky.social
I don't think you can officially be "signed" at an academy until U-9 level, but I think most clubs run things that they will call development centres (or the like) for younger age groups. Obviously from U-9 to U-16 level they are still schoolboys, probably still attending their normal school (although some clubs do have partnerships with local education establishments). Stevens was released in his final schoolboy year without being offered a scholarship (when he would have become full-time). Must be difficult having been there the full 8 years, only to be rejected at the final hurdle.
He'll have been in the Arsenal Academy system, but training at a 'satellite' academy site, as you suggest.
Much like the Southampton one at Bath, which allowed Bale to sign, and comply with the rules.
All clubs have them - including our own (in South London).
Palace (E.Grinstead) and Chelsea (Lewes) are two that certainly operate on our patch.
Pre-foundation (Under 8 and less) and Foundation (under 9 - Under 11) the maximum travel time is 60 minutes. Youth Development phase (Under 12 - Under 16) the maximum travel time is meant to be 90 minutes but clubs can get special dispensation for certain players.
And Chelsea at Crawley too. Just hadn't heard of the Arsenal one down this way but yeah must have been otherwise don't see how he could have done it. Actually heard a tale of one of the London clubs (can't remember which) opening a "development centre" near Eastbourne and Hastings specifically so they could sign a lad from that way as otherwise the travel distance would have been too much for him to sign.
Didn't one of the big clubs build a boarding school specifically enable them to have boys go to the school and train but not fall foul of the distance rules?
AZ Gull
@SeagullsAcademy @seagullsacademy.bsky.social
I don't know.
Palace had a relationship with Oasis Academy Shirley Park, but apparently it ended in the summer of 2018 - Aaron Wan-Bissaka: how a south London school's parting gift to Crystal Palace could keep them up
(I'm not suggesting here that Palace were trying to do anything underhand to circumvent travelling rules, just showing how some clubs have/had a relationship with a specific school or academy).
London Irish
Well-known member
Just seen this - yes his parents took him up to London 2 or 3 times a week, Westdene and Patcham school would let him go early, very nice lad he was in the same year as my kid, quite a rigmarole but manageable, London isn’t the other end of the world
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Change at Barnham
Well-known member
Current holders Bognor Regis Town.
AZ Gull
@SeagullsAcademy @seagullsacademy.bsky.social
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London Irish
Well-known member
Good luck to Fin, always used to come to Sunday morning park football next to the Amex to support his younger brother when he played, who was in the same youth team as my lad
,mm
Wow that’s commitment from the parents. Arsenal academy is in the site of the old walthamstow dogs track carpark. 2 hour drive each way with typical traffic and that’s without hold ups.
Wow that’s commitment from the parents. Arsenal academy is in the site of the old walthamstow dogs track carpark. 2 hour drive each way with typical traffic and that’s without hold ups.
AZ Gull
@SeagullsAcademy @seagullsacademy.bsky.social
For anyone who might have been wondering if the 2019-20 Sussex Senior Cup Final would be played, there was this announcement from the Sussex FA 12 days ago:-
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Blooming Marvellous
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Do we get to share the trophy.
I was hoping this would be one of the test events for crowds, would have got a good crowd and atmosphere.