Academy youngsters and match day.

[tom_ecfc]

I think we have been blessed with such a long run. We are now in a transitional phase right across the club on and off the pitch. I’m sure the upward curve will happen again soon as from what I’ve seen and heard, the next crop of young Grecians are a promising bunch to get excited about!

 

[grecian-near-hell]

One could also say that the approach we are now taking, is providing playing opportunities to our best youngsters, by allowing them to go out on loan and develop their games. Last season was a nightmare for some of our young players, as they were forced to "stick around" due to injuries.

I’ve got nothing against our approach. Over the years it has worked incredibly well and proved immense value to the club both financially and player wise, as well as the players themselves.
The point I was making is that this long run of having an academy product in our starting line up is under threat at this moment in time

 

[Rosencrantz]

I think this is just a natural occurrence. We had a very good group come through together who have now mostly moved on with only Kite and Hartridge left. Of that group, only Archie was really involved from 18. We have another good group now just starting as pro but again, most need a bit of time out on loan. Sonny and Pedro are around the squad.

It is not normally a case you get a whole batch come through at the same time. The years in between have seen Cheick come through. A few others not make it after been taken on as pro, such as Nelson Iseguan, Jack Veale, Ellis Johnson, Jack Arthur and others. These years would also have included Stanno, Ben Chrisene and Alfie Pond who have obviously moved and we have received money for them.

It would be a shame to lose that record of having an academy player in the starting line up. But I think it will only be a blip in the grand scale of things.

 

[Christian]

Dont forget Covid will have played a role in the develpoment of some of the ones mentioned above! Not just for us but for may clubs and young footballers up and down the land!

 

[grecian-near-hell]

I think this is just a natural occurrence. We had a very good group come through together who have now mostly moved on with only Kite and Hartridge left. Of that group, only Archie was really involved from 18. We have another good group now just starting as pro but again, most need a bit of time out on loan. Sonny and Pedro are around the squad.

It is not normally a case you get a whole batch come through at the same time. The years in between have seen Cheick come through. A few others not make it after been taken on as pro, such as Nelson Iseguan, Jack Veale, Ellis Johnson, Jack Arthur and others. These years would also have included Stanno, Ben Chrisene and Alfie Pond who have obviously moved and we have received money for them.

It would be a shame to lose that record of having an academy player in the starting line up. But I think it will only be a blip in the grand scale of things.

Agree totally
Of the lads coming through without thinking you can probably name 5/6 of them who are likely to make it with the likes of Lee James Beardmore Borges Cox J R Hartley as well as those currently flying the Academy flag in the first team of Kite Diabete and Hartridge. Not to mention those yet to shine in public who are on the periphery.
As you say only a blip
I do hope we can enter the U23 cup this year. It would be exciting times for the boys

 

[Grecian in Guzz]

Agree totally
Of the lads coming through without thinking you can probably name 5/6 of them who are likely to make it with the likes of Lee James Beardmore Borges Cox J R Hartley as well as those currently flying the Academy flag in the first team of Kite Diabete and Hartridge. Not to mention those yet to shine in public who are on the periphery.
As you say only a blip
I do hope we can enter the U23 cup this year. It would be exciting times for the boys

Yes I think U23 academy cup showed our players that they could mix it with future PL stars. I can remember the pleasure of watching Joel, Harry, Hartridge,Key etc grow up in these games and show how the years spent growing up together were more than good enough to compete as a team. Predatory Wolves, Villains, Blues, Cottagers permitting my £ on 2 years before we return to the pride of nearly half the starting line up being "ones of our own". All we've got to do is stay in L1 to give them their rightful place to perform. UTC

 

[STURTZ]

Hate it when young players leave before they've established a first team place in our team. For me Collins and Key did just right for us, left at 24 so we get a fee (tribunal) which may be lower than we may have got but at least we did get to enjoy seeing them playing.

 

[Super Ronnie Jepson]

Hate it when young players leave before they've established a first team place in our team. For me Collins and Key did just right for us, left at 24 so we get a fee (tribunal) which may be lower than we may have got but at least we did get to enjoy seeing them playing.

Only the fee for Key is going to be set by tribunal.

 

[Grecian in Guzz]

Agree totally
Of the lads coming through without thinking you can probably name 5/6 of them who are likely to make it with the likes of Lee James Beardmore Borges Cox J R Hartley as well as those currently flying the Academy flag in the first team of Kite Diabete and Hartridge. Not to mention those yet to shine in public who are on the periphery.
As you say only a blip
I do hope we can enter the U23 cup this year. It would be exciting times for the boys

Love it that we are using JR Hartley - hope we put that on his shirts as well !
UTC

 

[Mid Devon Grecian]

I think it’s inevitable there will be some barren years in the production line. This is where the loan system can prove very useful for us.

We appear to have gained the trust of some decent premier league clubs who are willing to lend us some of their most promising youngsters. Ideal to fill in when we’re light on our own prospects.