Why have Albion never produced a decent striker from the youth ranks?

[carlzeiss]

Not a product of Albion Youth but one that surely got away was Ian Muir

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[spanish flair]

I've watched the DS a good number of times over the last 4 seasons and have yet to see a big lump play.
All the DS "strikers" seem to be a bit on the short side and lacking physical presence. Dickenson was the only one to put himself about.
We should be looking out for a couple of aspiring Andy Lochheads.

We did have one big lump striker who was a local lad and that was Eric Whittington who scored 8 goals in 32 games over three seasons, in the sixties.

 

[Gwylan]

We did have one big lump striker who was a local lad and that was Eric Whittington who scored 8 goals in 32 games over three seasons, in the sixties.

My old man bought a motor from him in the early 70s. Turned out to be a load of old moody and had to be scrapped after a short while - bit like Whittington's career really

 

[carlzeiss]

Not a product of Albion Youth but one that surely got away was Ian Muir

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[JBizzle]

Hopefully the academt will change this. Defensive players are much easier to come across whereas competition for good young strikers is very high and, until recently, we've just not been a very attractive proposition.

 

[El Sid]

We did have one big lump striker who was a local lad and that was Eric Whittington who scored 8 goals in 32 games over three seasons, in the sixties.

I believe his son, Craig, was a striker at Crawley. Ended up at Whirehawk,

 

[Greg Bobkin]

I have high hopes for Mr Tilley on what I have seen so far, which admittedly is only 2 games.

Hes a bit of a no 10 really... so does he count as a striker...anyway early indications are very encouraging.

I have been thinking for quite a while we need a striking coach on board....

Bobby Z to return as player/coach

 

[spanish flair]

I believe his son, Craig, was a striker at Crawley. Ended up at Whitehawk,

Yes and I think he is now at Three Bridges FC

 

[Vegas Seagull]

Virgo played upfront for us.

Last seasons top goal scorer was from Brighton.

Our problem is we don't play them in the right position enough.

Well observed, I recall £50 @ 33s when Virgo started up top at 0-1 Leicester & buying Dunky's goal minutes at £5 a minute at 4 when he bagged at 60? & 88? Ish for £700+ earlier this season
Keep em peeled

 

[Crispy Ambulance]

I'm still a bit miffed we ignored Greg Luer. Played for Burgess Hill and Hull picked him up in January. Can't believe we chose to ignore a promising player in our own back yard.

He's scored a few in their recent DS games. Reckon he'll get another L1 loan next season.

 

[neilbard]

If we ever had produced a decent striker from the youth ranks we'd have sold him pronto! No ambition!

 

[Megazone]

Shaun Wilkinson and Dan Marney.

How did their careers go?

 

[GT49er]

Defenders are much more common and easier to come by, and to coach. How often do you hear it said that such-and-such team had a 'well drilled defence'?
While coaching can obviously improve a striker's game, there has to be that extra something, that sixth sense, that cannot really be coached - it's either there or it isn't. That's why they're rare (and expensive). It is about time we unearthed one though!

 

[dejavuatbtn]

Not a product of Albion Youth but one that surely got away was Ian Muir

Yep, Uncle Frank spotted something the Albion didn't there. Just given no chances in the first team to show his abilities. Same as David Gipp who came through the youth ranks and scored well for them and the reserves but was never given the opportunities to have a run in the first team. He coulda shoulda would have been a Tony Cottee.
Although not an out and out striker, Tony Towner was probably one of the best forwards that have come through the ranks. He had a good career after he left us and is still regarded as a legend at Rotherham.

 

[BensGrandad]

I'm still a bit miffed we ignored Greg Luer. Played for Burgess Hill and Hull picked him up in January. Can't believe we chose to ignore a promising player in our own back yard.

Is it pure coincidence that my old mate Ken Craggs is a scout for Hull

 

[GT49er]

Yep, Uncle Frank spotted something the Albion didn't there. Just given no chances in the first team to show his abilities. Same as David Gipp who came through the youth ranks and scored well for them and the reserves but was never given the opportunities to have a run in the first team. He coulda shoulda would have been a Tony Cottee.
Although not an out and out striker, Tony Towner was probably one of the best forwards that have come through the ranks. He had a good career after he left us and is still regarded as a legend at Rotherham.

I remember seeing Tony Towner's debut. I think it was in that match another young forward also made his debut - Mick Conway - who looked at first sight pretty good. I wonder what happened to him?

 

[cuthbert]

Kevin Russell (Rooster) had a decent career 456 games and 87 goals, but we released him following his apprenticeship.

 

[yxee]

What about this one who keeps winning goal of the month awards? He must be a prospect...

 

[spanish flair]

I remember seeing Tony Towner's debut. I think it was in that match another young forward also made his debut - Mick Conway - who looked at first sight pretty good. I wonder what happened to him?

If we are talking forwards, then John Robinson must have been one of our most successful youth products, who went on to get full international caps.

 

[GT49er]

If we are talking forwards, then John Robinson must have been one of our most successful youth products, who went on to get full international caps.

Ah yes, another local boy ...... from Rhodesia! To be fair though, he did come over here and sign for us at 16, so we can rightly call him a youth product. Hardly really a forward, though (one goal per 900 minutes). Strange international qualification, though - Scottish father, Rhodesian mother, played his football in England ....... and played for .....

Wales!