Totally agree about the work that Simon Hayward has put in behind the scenes over numerous years for the club. The whole structure and organizational set-up of the youth academy was a large part of his work. It is unfortunate that things between him and the club seem to have gone array and he will be leaving but best of luck to him in the future!!!
It would be churlish to criticise the route that Taggy took the club down in terms of youth development. Players have been produced who have represented the club at first team level and some who have gone on to earn good money in the transfer market. Do I think we could have used other clubs youth setups to achieve the same ends? Probably, but we would have needed to invest in a scouting setup that developed a network of contacts who could could recommend young players from other professional clubs, or perhaps more importantly, non league clubs. It has taken the best part of 10 years or more to get where we are with the Academy when perhaps a scouting setup could have identified players who were closer to the finished article earlier. I know a lot of people will point to the Community element of having 7 or 8 different age groups going through the process, but the vast majority will never get close to a first team place, so would it have been better to reduce the number and improve the chances of more contributing to the first team? I guess you pay your money and take your choice.
Yes, I hope his contribution won't be forgotten. Another one who worked for nothing originally, when we had no money, I believe. He certainly leaves the academy significantly better than when he started.
Why is he departing? he's been the mainstay.
If theres any truth in that, its a f*****g disgrace! It annoys the sh/it out of me that Tisdale appears to be taking all the plaudits for the academy, and never once makes reference to the work that Mr Hayward puts in! If I recall correctly, Tisdale didnt make a big deal about the academy until relelatively recently, preferring instead to bring in injury prone journeymen like Parkin! Tisdale has only been bigging up the academy for five years or so, which I assume is one of the reasons Mr Hayward wants away, assuming thats true? I'm livid if it is!
Tisdale's salary had some evidence behind it, this just seems to have been plucked out of thin air!
Knowing Mr Bude he would not have posted with out some substance trust me he would have some inside knowledge on this one albeit limited