Luke Waterfall

Quoted from KingstonMariner

A wider perspective on it would be the opportunity for other young players to develop to the become the best they could be, even if they don't make it in full-time professional football. So there's a wider community benefit. To be parochial about it, if they don't make the grade at GTFC, it'd be great if they did make it in the first team at Clee or GY Boro, or one of the other Lincolnshire clubs.

Agree with that. Problem is because we are League 2, there are limited options to drop down for a second chance and remain a professional footballer. Woods reputation as a youth coach is great though and we are lucky to have him. Fortunately we also have a manager that wants to create a pathway also.

Quoted from jamesgtfc

In my opinion the only way to judge a youth team manager is by the number of graduates that either bring in money or feature in the first team. The sad fact is that most of the youth team are just making up the numbers for the 2/3 that have a realistic chance of a deal.

I'm not interested if the youth team finish bottom of their league. The only objective for me is that it produces first team players.

Our youth system is currently going through a purple patch and it's great to witness. It is great that MJ has faith in the academy because under Hurst, Bignot or Slade, Clifton and Wright would probably be playing their trade at Clee Town or Grimsby Borough.

That has always been the case even for the bigger clubs. The percentage of youth players who make it into league football at any level is very small. But there are two factors here. One is that kids develop at different rates so you need to give them the opportunity to mature a bit. The other is purely practical. You must always have a youth squad in order to have matches and training schedules and a specialist youth coach. Once you pack that up, like Walsall for instance, you have to pack up any idea of developing your own players.

I too was critical of managers for not playing youngsters but again we have to be fair. It is the manager’s job that is on the line, not the fans. Playing young players is a risk and many managers would rather not play a youngster if it means points may be dropped in giving them time to settle. MJ has played youngsters but even he is very cautious about it. Only one has become anything like a regular so far and you can see his policy in the interview today where he talks about Pollock.

Quoted from jamesgtfc

Agree with that. Problem is because we are League 2, there are limited options to drop down for a second chance and remain a professional footballer. Woods reputation as a youth coach is great though and we are lucky to have him. Fortunately we also have a manager that wants to create a pathway also.

Not quite what I meant but also not sure I agree with that James. I meant, if you can't make it at GTFC, there are options to go semi-pro. There's plenty of semi-pro clubs around at various levels. If anyone is good enough and determined enough they can carve out some opportunities for themselves.

It seems our new signing has good vision. So good, according to the caption on this he can see into the future.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/49362256