El Sid
Well-known member
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Why can't we ever PRODUCE a DECENT striker ?
- Thread starter Ernest
- Start date
AZ Gull
@SeagullsAcademy @seagullsacademy.bsky.social
The only one I can think of that might remotely fit into that category is Kevin Russell. He was an apprentice at the Albion in the early 80s, but got released and joined his hometown club Portsmouth, where he barely did anything. He then joined Wrexham, and scored 43 goals in 84 appearances in two seasons. That prompted Leicester City to pay £175,000 for him. He only played 43 league games in three seasons, scoring 10 goals, but Wikipedia suggests that he achieved cult-hero status in 91-92 as a series of late goals off the bench fired City to the play-off final.
He then moved on to Stoke for £95,000 and, a year later, Burnley for £130,000.
He had a goals ratio of about 1 in 4 (over 240-odd games in 10 seasons) before re-joining Wrexham and playing another 200 games in a deeper role.
Incidentally, he left the Albion at around the same time that we gave a trial to Ian Wright. Just imagine if NSC had been around in the mid-80s....
- Jul 7, 2003
- 47,639
I think the pool at the K2 in Crawley is Olympic sized, for what it's worth. But Crawley town council have always been fairly forward thinking with stuff like that. Unlike Brighton & Hove & the crushing NIMBYism and "won't it ruin the Regency skyline?" attitude that dominates every planning debate.
Other than that, the only top sporting facilities in Sussex belong to the Albion, I imagine.
Mo Gosfield
Well-known member
- Aug 11, 2010
- 6,362
It would certainly be a boost if we had a local boy made good. I suppose the nearest we had was Adam Virgo ( who was a defender and striker rolled into one and was sold for £1.5m.
Adrian Thorne, Eric Whittington, Richard Tiltman, Jake Robinson, Joe Gatting etc....all of them never quite settled into that regular goalscorer that you look for. Thorne will always be remembered for his amazing five goals v Watford but that was a one-off, similar to Wade v Newcastle. For those pinning hopes on Fenelon...don't hold yer breath.
Adrian Thorne, Eric Whittington, Richard Tiltman, Jake Robinson, Joe Gatting etc....all of them never quite settled into that regular goalscorer that you look for. Thorne will always be remembered for his amazing five goals v Watford but that was a one-off, similar to Wade v Newcastle. For those pinning hopes on Fenelon...don't hold yer breath.
I suppose the last local striker made good was Tommy Cook, who played for England while in Div 3 South. But that was more than 80 years ago, it's time we had another.
I'm not convinced of this no-sporting facilities argument. Surely more and better sporting facilities would encourage more potential footballers to play other sports. As I've seen at first-hand, there are limited opportunities for kids to play football in the area, it's not going to help player development
I'm not convinced of this no-sporting facilities argument. Surely more and better sporting facilities would encourage more potential footballers to play other sports. As I've seen at first-hand, there are limited opportunities for kids to play football in the area, it's not going to help player development
Germany - dripping with all manner of sports facilities and clubs every corner you turn; world champions
England - bugger all; chumps
to be honest that's closer than I was expecting... but the point of nearby cities and areas with greater populations still stands
Knotty
Well-known member
Ernest, for once you have posted something sensible and valid!
We haven't produced anyone and, without a decent academy, we were probably never going to because anyone who showed even a hint of top-class potential would be quickly moved on to somewhere better.
Now, at last, we have a proper Academy and a top grade one at that. There can never be any guarantees but at least we now have a system that should nurture talented players and KEEP them on our books.
He didn't come through our ranks: he was born in Coventry and came to us from Birmingham (he was previously an apprentice at QPR). He wasn't a teenager when he came to us either
Tom Hark Preston Park
Will Post For Cash
- Jul 6, 2003
- 72,349
Huge numbers of highly successful footballers and athletes in other sports come from some of the poorest slums and regions of the world. I think the answer must lie elsewhere. The desire to succeed maybe?
maltaseagull
Well-known member
Peterborough?
Thunder Bolt
Silly old bat
They don't produce good strikers from their youth squad, they tend to find good non league strikers, & give them a chance in the League.
The same could be said for Bristol Rovers, quoted above.
KZNSeagull
Well-known member
Indeed. Sussex has not produced a plethora of sportsmen/women at all really.
The Wookiee
Back From The Dead
Eastbourne has good tennis facilities but are they used to bring through new talent ?
- Jul 7, 2003
- 47,639
I think Ernest's original point referred to the sort of striker who comes up through the academy system, plays- and scores goals- for us, and whom other clubs covet and want to sign. Rather than the ones we release because they never make it with us but who go on to do ok elsewhere after dropping down levels.
We haven't produced a genuinely sought after striker in my lifetime, I'm pretty sure of that.
Burton Albion?
Not a striker, but Tony Towner was a pretty good home-grown product.
martin tyler
Well-known member
- Jan 25, 2013
- 5,968
Well if your willing to wait another 15 years or so my son is doung very well. Scored 4 goals for his under 7's team last weekend.
Bladders
Twats everywhere
I put 6 past Sidley FC in a 9-0'drubbing back in 1987, even made the local rag with my "double hatrick" but alas was never taken on by the Albion.
Their loss.