I have heard they were after level two but level one is obviously the icing on the cake. Southampton have only just been awarded level one. Watford have decided to go from one down to a three as it is too expensive for them. Do any of you have any children that train at the Albion?
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What academy level will the Albion be aiming for.?
- Thread starter Rogero
- Start date
DavePage
Well-known member
Isn’t it three, if you count the pool as a basement? or did I miss a level?
Blue Valkyrie
Not seen such Bravery!
Category 1 was mentioned by the club a while back.
Aiming for Cat 1: http://www.seagulls.co.uk/news/article/barbers-youth-goal-1553082.aspx
Tom Hark Preston Park
Will Post For Cash
- Jul 6, 2003
- 72,356
What's the level where we bring promising youth players up through the ranks then flog them off on the cheap to the first club that comes cherry-picking?
- Jul 7, 2003
- 47,640
Well not really, as it's designed to ensure all elements of the process are top notch, including the infrastructure.
While it's clear that Saints are either particularly brilliant at developing players or have just struck it spectacularly lucky (the former, I'm sure), their actual facilities, I seem to recall HKFC mentioning, aren't all that. Imagine, therefore, how good they COULD be, if they got their stuff together off the pitch as well.
I don't expect they're that bothered, given the regularity with which they're churning out young superstars, but that's what it means anyway.
Magic City
New member
- Mar 29, 2014
- 118
All categories also rely on staff; the higher the rank of the category, the more staff is needed. For instance, I know Newcastle didn't originally get 'Category One' status due to not being able to afford all the staff members that were required. It was something like five or six paid positions; Manager, Assistant, two Coaches, Goalkeeping Coach and a Physio - for each age group.
- Thread starter
- #10
http://www.watfordobserver.co.uk/sport/9873025.Watford_Academy_to_downgrade_to_Category_3/
This is about Watford downgrading.
Is there a list that has the different clubs and the level they are on available.?
This is about Watford downgrading.
Is there a list that has the different clubs and the level they are on available.?
clippedgull
Hotdogs, extra onions
I'm sure there are elements that make both statements correct, you're omitting the key factors:-
Geography and circumstance.
Saints youth set up has come on because they were financially struggling in a decent stadium just as Portsmouth stopped youth and academy programmes.
While Bournemouth was on it's knees, in a pooh hole, and we were grovelling on the floor in an even bigger pooh hole.
So basically the yoof of Southern England had 2 choices, Southampton or London.
Add an £18m Theo Walcott into the mix, and Robert's your fathers brother, Saints run the only academy for hundreds of miles around, you want to send your child too.
mikeyjh
Well-known member
While I think there are some regs regarding facilities and being at the top level of academy, I think there more around how many pitches in general, how many are floodlit that sort of thing, rather than being 'all that'. I'm not convinced that the quality of the facilities are terribly important anyway, surely more about the people and the coaching?
Philzo-93
Well-known member
Who is responsible for academy development out of interest?
- Jul 7, 2003
- 47,640
That's what (I thought) I was saying.
Anyway, living proof of the fact that money doesn't get you everywhere lies in the fact that certain clubs who do have level one status may well have a poor record for developing a high standard of young players.
Have (say) Chelsea got a category one academy? Assuming they have, it doesn't appear to represent great value for money.
I just found an article where thay announce they have been awarded cat 1 status. It is dated 27 july 2012. Isn't that about the time it started?
- Thread starter
- #17
mikeyjh
Well-known member
I think you were, and I think I was agreeing with you.
- Jul 7, 2003
- 47,640
Some interesting arguments on both sides, from what I've seen. I guess the incentive to develop high class youngsters is there for any club that's bunging £2.5m per year into it.
What's that Mason Bennett like? He seems to have been around for ages (I know he started a game at 15), but is he all that? I feel like he's been overshadowed in the last couple of seasons by Hughes. Is that fair?
- Thread starter
- #20
It is interesting that Djibril Cisse's son has chosen to go to Crewe. Rather than Liverpool,Everton,or Man United.
I think Brighton would be a good choice for a child to go to. Chelsea have not had any player through for about 15 years.
I think Brighton would be a good choice for a child to go to. Chelsea have not had any player through for about 15 years.