Congratulations to my brother...

[honey boy zimba]

yes it was unfair of me to name names and i could name a few more but it is bourne out of frustration not just by me but lots of other coaches who have had dealings wth the club and scouts.Did i say scouts dont get me started on them!!!!!!

 

[Brovion]

At the age of 16 the players are either offered 2 years or released.
The management pick a balanced side ,so u-18's and reserve football have a cross section of players in different positions.The club would never offer scholarships to say 6 strikers /goalkeepers or defenders.
The lads who get offered a scholarship at 18..which lasts two years are offered training every morning and very limited education.
After 18 ,if released ,no education and sniffing round non league clubs for a "living". eg James Fraser released ..year at Bristol Rovers,released now playing for Whitehawk on a Saturday and Eastbourne B. reserves mid week...still waiting for that "chance" !

Minor point - James Fraser was actually released by Brighton at 15, the year before his final 'non-scholarship' year. And frankly I don't think he was that fussed, he came to play for our Monday night Pitch Invason team! He went to Worthing and got picked up by Rovers after playing for England Youth. He got badly injured and his release by Rovers came as no surprise.

2nd minor point: They get offered the Scholarship at 16 not 18 - that's when they get pro terms (if they're lucky). And the education isn't that limited, they all go to college the same as their 'normal' mates.

 

[BigGully]

My point exactly...We're not talking about 14-15 year old teenagers...These are CHILDREN many of whom are just learning to read & write let alone go through this sort of stress.

They should be enjoying football not playing in a controlled environment where they're too afraid to make mistakes.

I think not only the club but the parents have a role to play here.

Dare I say it this post was started, probably by a young brother who is rightly proud of his brother for getting signed at 9 or whatever age he is.

But already his and maybe his parents expectations of their Son's progress may be exaggeratted and it could be that they will end up disenchanted with the whole experience if the clubs view on his ability do not match their own, then parents etc. blame the club in someway !!

I am still not sure why you assume that being at an Academy should necessarily involve a stifling environment that make players afraid to make mistakes.

Part of the very reason the professional clubs wanted players away from the Sunday League environment was too much pressure driven by results, which did create such an environment.

 

[BigGully]

My point exactly...We're not talking about 14-15 year old teenagers...These are CHILDREN many of whom are just learning to read & write let alone go through this sort of stress.

They should be enjoying football not playing in a controlled environment where they're too afraid to make mistakes.

I think not only the club but the parents have a role to play here.

Dare I say it this post was started, probably by a young brother who is rightly proud of his brother for getting signed at 9 or whatever age he is.

But already his and maybe his parents expectations of their Son's progress may be exaggeratted and it could be that they will end up disenchanted with the whole experience if the clubs view on his ability do not match their own, then parents etc. blame the club in someway !!

I am still not sure why you assume that being at an Academy should necessarily involve a stifling environment that make players afraid to make mistakes.

Part of the very reason the professional clubs wanted players away from the Sunday League environment initially was to try to ensure an environment where players can flourish unhindered by a results driven over enthusiastic and under qualified coach, which did create such an environment.