Is the game going to the dogs?

NY44, the fairplay rules are meant to be a sort of salary cap. Will have to see if it works.

ImFrankStrandli

Ok 21 then.

Re your comments about telling them to '...f off and their not good enough at 17 is wrong in my opinion...'

Perhaps someone should tell the parents that stand at the touchline effing and blinding all through a game too eh?

Like rooneys dad!

Comment Deleted by Site Moderator

666 has got it right.

There's a terrible statistic about the amount of UEFA qualified coaches in England compared to Spain, Germany etc. It's something like 3,000 here to 30,000 in Spain. Anyone who trains a local kids team is usually just some kid's Dad who has no skills in it.

Academies could just develop links to the local teams. That way kids wouldn't be led on like they were going to be stars, but would still get great training. Then when they reach 14/15 move into the actual academy. The problem here is grass roots football is really poor standard - pitches etc.

I'm currently living in a town outside Barcelona, and there's a local team here for kids who have great pitches, facilities, coaches.

I am liking a lot of what I am reading - differing points but all have a certain sense of validity!

My own personal view is that if you are going to take children away from the "natural" social environment you are really doing them no favours no matter the lifestyle you promise may be on offer at the end if they have success.
I like the idea of trying to develop the schooling system and coaching mentioned earlier.
Maybe have local "boroughs" in constant contact with the nearest local team under FA who then sends a coach once a week to work with the kids - this can then be done with a few local teams possibly meaning a coach on Monday, Wednesday and Friday????
These local teams would then have the option to offer the kids contracts at 17 (they can drive so I would say they can decide their short-term future at this age)
If the kid gets signed then the club should "donate" a signing on % to the local school for facilities and this would benefit all up and coming kids.
Some know I am a teacher and may think I have my career thinking going on but I teach Primary so it wouldn't really hit my classes
I do like the idea of the academies being an out-sourcing hub though, if they need further schooling after 17 then they can "house and school" those kids whilst giving a greater focus of development.
We already ask kids, as a society, to grow up too much too quickly and this could be a way of keeping them grounded a little longer?
Me Likey this thread!!

LeedsPremChamps2020

Me Likey this thread!!

You'll not be what we call an English Teacher then?

Eric - clue was in the "primary" which covers them all so yes I teach Engrish :P
Seriously though, a few people on a forum have a fair few better ideas than the people who get paid hundreds of thousands of pounds in salaries at the FA!!!! They should be ashamed of themselves and probably would be if they could get of the cash filled matress without breaking a limb!

ffs - get off their cash filled mattress' - it's been a long day