Investment in youth

a lot has been made about the investment in the academy structure and everything else that goes with it. Sounds great but at what point will we witness the benefits of this? My prediction is that there will be a reluctance by Simon to put trust in local youth talent when he clearly knows that the best results are achieved by spending more money than the clubs around you on established talent and that this has been the main reason for the improvement in the team's performances.

The scouts @ our games this season haven’t been there to watch established talent!!

Well then Big L, perhaps you would like to elaborate on who has been watched?

The only one i'm aware of, and that isnt even confirmed by anyone at the club is Craig being watched by Football League and Premier League scouts.

Back from another sunny day at work - bloody freezing up here!

Anyway, didn't Weaver say that Craig was being watched in that interview on the website?

I have listened to that interview, but probably missed that bit due to the missus having a moan like she does. I do wonder who else has been watched though. as Big Lundy suggests Craig isnt the only one being watched.

There's no doubt that Craig is an excellent keeper, but his success has not been a result of any youth setup we have at the club. He was simply a good signing. I suppose my point is, if the club continues to make shewed signings like that of Craig, then is there any need for an academy setup at present?

I don't think Craig has been brilliant since the scouts started watching...he has been a bit hesitant on crosses and coming out early for the ball...he may be with us another season I reckon.

By the end of the season more scouts will have watched our academy side than our first team!
You get grants (£££) towards running your junior sides & you involve more people with your club!
That’s why clubs have them.
Everything is a numbers game in football!
More people involved more £ coming in!
More £ coming in more £ to spend on your facilities & squad!
You might only bring a few players through into your 1st team squad & most of those will end up playing @ other clubs @ varying levels around the area i.e. Northern Counties East, Evo stic etc… before hand!
But these lads that do make it are then in the “shop window” & possibly an alternative route into the full-time leagues!

Big Lundy wrote:By the end of the season more scouts will have watched our academy side than our first team!
You get grants (£££) towards running your junior sides & you involve more people with your club!
That’s why clubs have them.
Everything is a numbers game in football!
More people involved more £ coming in!
More £ coming in more £ to spend on your facilities & squad!
You might only bring a few players through into your 1st team squad & most of those will end up playing @ other clubs @ varying levels around the area i.e. Northern Counties East, Evo stic etc… before hand!
But these lads that do make it are then in the “shop window” & possibly an alternative route into the full-time leagues!

Fair enough, can't argue with that.

In all fairness Craig is Railways success and the other player who was being watched was Knowles wasn't it?

It wouldnt surprise me if Dominic was being watched as he is an extremely good player, and in all true honesty, I would be surprised if he was still at the club next season. This move was about putting himself back in the shopping window, which he has well and truly done. I would love him to stay at Harrogate, and become a club legend, but I just dont see it happening.

fulham have been up to watch craig.