Ben Grist

Quoted from pen penfras

Hard to disagree. But it would be a shame not to see players like Clifton and Wright come through. Khouri looked decent in the game he played. I thought Idehen looks promising too. If he had Pollock's composure and confidence, he'd be some player, but I guess he wouldn't be here in that case.

but Khouri, Pollock and Idehen are the examples i'd use, along with Bennett  & Burrell, to back up my argument, as they were 'rejects' from other clubs. Battersby would also fall into that category

Given the dearth of players that come through the ranks to the first team, maybe it would be better to follow the Brentford type models. If we do get the odd player that stands out from the rest of the group, they are usually snatched away by bigger clubs before they get the chance to make it to the first team.

Quoted from MuddyWaters

I know his Dad. GTFC through and through so Lincoln is not an option.

Really! My dad stopped me being a doctor cause he hated taken pills

Quoted from forza ivano

but Khouri, Pollock and Idehen are the examples i'd use, along with Bennett  & Burrell, to back up my argument, as they were 'rejects' from other clubs. Battersby would also fall into that category

should also add in Akheem Rose .By the by, anyone else think he would have strengthened both of this season's squads?

Quoted from ginnywings

Given the dearth of players that come through the ranks to the first team, maybe it would be better to follow the Brentford type models. If we do get the odd player that stands out from the rest of the group, they are usually snatched away by bigger clubs before they get the chance to make it to the first team.

Think I made a very similar point a few years back. Basically the Academy system allows the top two leagues to cherry pick all the best players and in return have to make nominal up front payments so very little risk and the majority of these lads will probably never get near the respective first teams. There is always the odd one that contradicts this, Carlisle get £10k each time Henderson plays a first team game, but I suspect these are few and far between.

From a purely financial stand point I can’t see how it stacks up as a return on investment but pretty sure it’s a good community asset.

Quoted from MuddyWaters

I know his Dad. GTFC through and through so Lincoln is not an option.

Well that's a shame for the lad, he'll just have to go to Man united then.

Quoted from forza ivano

but Khouri, Pollock and Idehen are the examples i'd use, along with Bennett  & Burrell, to back up my argument, as they were 'rejects' from other clubs. Battersby would also fall into that category

Battersby was with our youth and went to Sheff Utd for a year or 2. When they released him, he came back.

Quoted from forza ivano

should also add in Akheem Rose .By the by, anyone else think he would have strengthened both of this season's squads?

No but he would have strengthened the list of injured players

When things like this happen and we'll get the inevitable peanuts, it's hard to argue against the Brentford model isn't it?

We're effectively getting paid to stockpile kids for the big teams, anyone with a smidgen of talent is hoovered up by the big clubs and we get a token transfer fee.

Sad reflection of the game.

On the Rose point, absolutely he would have benefited both squads this season.  I wasn't hugely impressed with him and felt he lacked basic footballing technical ability and intelligence at times, but christ almighty when you consider we've had Matt Green as either the main striker or an impact sub for most of this season....I know who I would have preferred.   I'd even have preferred Harry Cardwell too.

I'm coming to the conclusion that it isn't worth having a youth set-up like we do. The top clubs can cherry pick the best talent for a pittance, in return for us getting a share of the grant from the PL. It basically bakes in the gap between rich and poor. There's no way for a small club to give itself a leg up by developing talent.