Liverpool FC Forum

by **stmichael** » Tue Jul 20, 2004 1:33 pm

as i'm sure you are aware, youngsters can only sign for academies near where they live. obviously, the normal suspects such as wenger have been whinging about this, claiming that clubs should be allowed to look abroad for their talent. if not this then maybe scout some of the lower division clubs who will have players signed to them who had no choice but to go to that academy.

there are always going to be quality players in and around the liverpool area. our history is littered with such players. we now have the capacity to nuture them at our club rarther than picking them up later in their career as we did with the like of mcdermott and rush to name two.

something i do not know, is how far the boundaries are? for instance can we reach out as far as north wales? what are the rules about persuading an out of area kid to move into your catchment area?

so many clubs starting complaining about poaching, that they bought in a mileage thing. the problem is, that not every club, or region will actually have a decent youth system at a club near them. i cannot see what is wrong with a good 14yr old from bath for example moving to anywhere he and his parents feels is best for his chances, even if that is man u. it won't level the playing field, just waste some english talent.

i say this, because clubs with bigger resources will find a way around it. arsenal do it by moving whole families into their area, many from abroad, and helping with employment and housing to get the best. now manure are using EU employment laws to trawl europe for good 16yr olds, spurs under arneson will no doubt go this route and we probably won't be far behind.

is this the way forward?

by **Starbridge42** » Tue Jul 20, 2004 1:37 pm

What ever happened to the 'good old days' when football was just about fun and passion?

by **stapo1000** » Tue Jul 20, 2004 1:40 pm

i'm not sure about that- maybe clubs cant persuade players from outside their areas IN ENGLAND but can also get players fron abroand - i live in ireland and 2 friends of mine played in the liverpool and southampton youth acadamies

Liverpool FC Forum

The reality of youth setups - What does the future hold?

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