Where have I said that we shouldn't have an Academy. Does it have to be Cat 2 ? that's a different question
My problem with what you and others are saying is that you are taking a cost of one area of the club and matching against the total sales of the whole club player wise. Basic accounting principle attributable income from attributable cost. Also we are talking the retention of CAT 2 status academy. The figures bandied around to justify an Academy at CAT 2 are to my mind excessive
The owners have to look at the options available to do otherwise would be negligent. Now personally I can see the non tangible, non financial element benefits of having an Academy - prestige, community, image etc - as well as the financial benefit of developing players. However the owners might for their own reasons see a much shorter timescale and the possibility of saving cash flow on a worthless investment. They may have very different objectives to the fans.
How do we know what is in the best interests of the club on any timescale if we do not search and test the alternatives. It may be that CAT 2 is the best option, it may not - I have a sneaking suspicion that the importance to the owners is the guaranteed cash flow the grant brings with the hope of finding a gem in the Academy every year or two.
As for keeping valuable players hidden (I know you didn't say this Don) and masking their value - nice theory but reality is the Academy system, with its matches played, coach meetings, scouting network is reasonably open about where the gems, are there are no great secrets. Players are tracked by bigger clubs for years, that's partly why to get real value kids get contracts. It is the Academy rules that stops players being poached formally, but please don't tell me there are quiet chats going on behind the scenes.
A few facts
- EPPP started 2012-13 season
- there are rules that calculate the compensation for young players
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elite_Player_Performance_Plan http://www.lawinsport.com/articles/...pensation-and-solidarity-payments-in-football
- the compensation could be said to be a valuation of a young player in an Academy
- In 2012-13 CCFC received £1m for Bigi in 2013-14 no academy sales 2014-15 2.717m was received for Wilson, Christie, J Clarke and Finch (its in the cashflow statement of the accounts)
- there are no figures as yet for Maddison (but I have a feeling folk will be disappointed - my opinion) Nor any figure for Sambou
- Bigi was sold before the EPPP came in to effect (06/07/12)
- Christie had a first team contract 2010, J Clarke 2008, Wilson 2009, Bigi 2011, & Daniels 2012 making 102, 125, 55, 26 & 24 appearances respectively
- Wilson, Clarke and Christie had been established in the first team squad for years - was their value all because of the academy ?
Yes the Academy provides talent for the first team, and to my mind is key for a club like ours, but there are other ways possible - keep an open mind and question things
More cynical perhaps - I would say I question things more, but that's what I have been trained to do. However any manager will only tell you what they can or want to - it is never telling it all as it is and there are very good and right reasons for that. That's not a criticism of TM its just the way it is.
Will TM have input in to keeping the Academy yes - will he make the decision probably not, it will be down to numbers being crunched I fear