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Post by oldboyblue on Apr 12, 2007 17:25:16 GMT
Anyone heard a rumour that there will be no reserve team next year?
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Post by dorothy on Apr 12, 2007 19:01:43 GMT
I'd heard a rumour that there was not enough strength in depth to run a second team. If that is true it's rather worrying for the future development of our younger players. We'll be relying on loan arangements to bring players on.
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Post by jp on Apr 12, 2007 21:31:47 GMT
I've heard rumours that the youth development programme isn't attracting the quality players either.
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Post by dorothy on Apr 12, 2007 21:54:47 GMT
I've said it before, but City do not have the network to attract the local youngsters. Our under 10 team have been watched by scouts from Villa, The Blues, WBA and Cheltenham this season and have a couple of players "under observation". Worcester City have never watched one of our games. I realise that there is no scheme in place to work with the youngsters but if we wait until the kids are 15 or 16 the talent has already been taken.
We are not alone in this but I feel that we need to encourage the best of the local youngsters to get involved with the club.
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Post by DazaB on Apr 12, 2007 22:41:16 GMT
yea the only youngster recruitment I am aware of is maybe through the soccer schools in kids holidays and defintely through the tech college.
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Post by jp on Apr 13, 2007 10:00:42 GMT
The soccer schools in the kids holidays are commercial enterprises only, like all summer soccer schools. The scheme through the college is okay if you're a decent player who a) wants to go to the Tech college b) wants to do the specific course which runs alongside the scheme and c) wants to limit their choice of clubs to Worcester City for the next two years. I agree with Dorothy, we had a cracking game last night against UCW which we lost 2-1, last kick of the game almost, on show were probably the best talent on a football pitch at 15/16 in Worcester. Some of these lads have had trials at league clubs, one has been signed on scholarship at a league 2 club, and we had one of our lads missing as he's just signed scholarship forms at another League 2 club. We've been watched by local scouts in many games this season from around the Midlands, a Man Utd scout was at one game last year!!! To my knowledge none of these lads are considering the Tech scheme, prefering to look at the Sixth Form football academy and even the new football acedemy rumoured at Droitwich High. At the end of this season, many of our lads will be looking around potentially for a team, and have already had contact with some of the local sides such as Stourport, Evesham, Bromsgrove, Pershore. City are always conspicuous in their absence, although that may be a perfectly rational situation, based on the commercial arrangements with the Technical College, which may in the present financial situation at the club be more important than actual youth development. I've had these discussions with Dave Boddy before now, and it does make sense from a commercial aspect, and of course there are winners and losers, and after all, we only need one Sam Wedgbury every couple of years for the plan to be successful.
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Post by gobby cow on Apr 13, 2007 10:25:23 GMT
I heard that rumour too and it is bonkers, what is going to happen to the squad not in the team, are they all going on loan?
So when we have an injured player we can have 4 substitutes and the groundsman on the bench!
I think AP is losing his marbles
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Post by sleepinggiant on Apr 13, 2007 10:55:41 GMT
The reserve games do seem pretty infrequent and the standard fairly poor. I think fringe players benefit more from going out on loan where they get frequent competitive football. I'm sure the club can also organise one-off reserve games if a need did arise for giving players/trialists match practice.
The reserve team is also a financial burden on the club and doesn't help the state of the pitch at SGL.
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Post by tim on Apr 13, 2007 11:01:33 GMT
The reserve games do seem pretty infrequent and the standard fairly poor. I think fringe players benefit more from going out on loan where they get frequent competitive football. I'm sure the club can also organise one-off reserve games if a need did arise for giving players/trialists match practice. The reserve team is also a financial burden on the club and doesn't help the state of the pitch at SGL. All good reasons why we shouldn't continue with a reserve team. I totally agree. Loaning players out keeps them fit and playing at a good standard, it has worked well this season. With Evesham staying for another season apparently (has this been confirmed yet?) the pitch will need a break!
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Post by Mark on Apr 13, 2007 12:47:14 GMT
I have heard the rumour. It came from a close relative of an employee of the club - a source I would consider reliable.
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