Bristol City boss Coppell demands more from Academy set-up
NEW Bristol City boss Steve Coppell claims the club's Academy system must produce first-team players in order to justify its existence.
City's Academy is jointly financed by Football Association grants and funds from the club's own coffers.
-
Steve Coppell
But in these austere times, Coppell insists the youth programme must benefit the club if it is to continue attracting the same level of funding in the future.
City have already taken steps to improve Academy efficiency, handing associate director Ernie Arathoon special responsibility for overseeing the running of the system.
Yet Coppell wants more and he warned: "If it's just an acknowledgment that the club has a youth system to put forward a couple of players every year that aren't any good, then it's a waste.
"It is important for the community that this club has a production line coming through and, if the players are good, then the Academy is very important.
"But the effort has to be there and it's important for a club like Bristol City that local kids look and see home-grown players who have developed and come through to play in the first team.
"They must know that when Arsenal, Spurs and Chelsea are competing to sign them at 12 years of age that their best chance of playing first-team football is with their local club."
Some City fans have questioned the policy of pumping money into a system that, in recent years, has spawned only a handful of first-team players.
David Cotterill and Leroy Lita were sold to bigger clubs and, in recent times, only Cole Skuse has gone on to establish himself in the first team at Ashton Gate.
But productivity is improving and Skuse has now been joined in the senior squad by fellow Aademy products Christian Ribeiro, James Wilson, Joe Edwards and Marlon Jackson, while Joe Lennox and Alex Ball have been offered professional terms.
Coppell is essentially a pragmatist and is warning supporters not to expect the Academy to produce first-team stars every season.
He said: "With most youth programmes it is almost cyclical. One year you will get four or five players then, for the next four or five years, for no reason in particular, you won't get a single player.
"Look at Manchester United when they brought through David Beckham, Paul Scholes, Nicky Butt, Gary Neville and all those players. They all came through in one rich crop.
"It's all about producing quality players and I know this is a rich area for young players. But people have to be patient."
3 Comments
by john, Swineford
Thursday, May 27 2010, 4:22PM
“Steve, There is nothing wrong with the intake at the Academy. Apprentices need skilled tradesmen to teach them their trade, so lets hope you will get in the ex players who can make this worth while. If not close it down.”
by Simon, Briz
Thursday, May 27 2010, 12:18PM
“Southampton FC are about 10 years ahead of City, in terms of their Academy and youth development. They have just appointed someone associated with the English youth development programmes, to run their academy. I am so glad that Steve Coppell is making this a priority.
Joe Lennox could be the flamboyant, dribbling winger, Dave wants to see.
Rob Newman, left rather acrimoniously to join Norwich to play in the Premier League. He didn't want to leave, but was forced to go to for the £600 grand transfer fee in 1992. He, Cole Skuse, and Christian Ribiero are the outstanding talents I have seen coming through the Youth set up. I don't think that is enough, especially because I have been a supporter for 30 years now.”
by DAVE MASSEY, LONDON
Thursday, May 27 2010, 9:31AM
“the simple fact is that the last ''crop'' of outstanding local talent was in the late 1960's.
in the 1990's there were plenty of jobbing pro's who played in the 3rd and 4th divisions,, but the club hasn't produced a SINGLE player from it's ranks since then that's gone on to make any major impact in the top flight. it contrasts dramatically with the success of the likes of cardiff, southampton, watford, charlton, crsytal palace et al, where the list of top players from this sources is endless.
where is the top flight goalkeeper, creative midfielder, flamboyant, dribbling winger, and free scoring striker? where are the england U21 internationals and full internationals that came through the ranks?
i don't believe there is a lack of appropriate talent in the area. it DOES seem though that other clubs networks manage to find the youngsters from the west of south of england and south wales that elude us. how did GARETH BALE - from south wales - end up at southampton?
cole skuse is an excellent midfielder, and its good to see christian ribiero getting his chance. i hope other prospects come through.
i had the feeling that the main reason gary johson didn't select academy products was that he didn't think they were mostly good enough (or getting good enough competitve matches) . steve coppell seems to be echoing that.”