This may well turn out to be true but it is worth noting that both Jay and Ethan made appearances for the first team in their first season after leaving us. Although, of course, neither of them have completely proved themselves yet it does seem the case that only players with a genuine expectation of standing out at a higher level are leaving us at 16 and everyone else is choosing to stay at City.
Hopefully those mentions will come to just enough money to sign a centre back, not sure on the exchange rates at the moment.
Whilst I would love to advance the academy to the next level, I just cannot see that happening. The ongoing revenue costs of advancement are significant and I fear, beyond us.
and ,just to add to that, the big clubs moan that *their* youngsters don’t get to play against adults enough so want to have reserve or youth teams in League Two. That is a problem they themselves have created by hoovering up all the youngsters at an early age.
has Williams been sold?
The cheek of it.
I think our geographical position actually works to our benefit here. Devon is simply too far away from the Premier League clubs for scholars to sign for. I suspect that lads in the Walsall, Oldham or Orient academies that show promise at an early age are snapped up by Premier League teams on their doorsteps under the EPPP compensation (which in reality amounts to a pittance).
It's not "bitter" at all...It's recognising that, with a little thought, these young players could repay the commitment that the club has made and the long hours that were spent, by so many people, in fostering their talents to a level where they had the opportunity. We all know the system and we all should know that its not going to change, so the only way the club can protect their investment is by trying to persuade these kids to sign a deal so the bigger clubs have to pay a proper price...