better days
Well-Known Member
Big teams owe debt to struggling clubs
When Jordan Henderson was 18, living in a small flat in Leamington Spa, learning to cook and playing on loan at Coventry City from Sunderland, he was written up as “the highly rated teenage winger” by the Coventry Telegraph. Now he’s captaining Liverpool and an England regular. James Maddison also began at Coventry. Now he is starring for Leicester City, a target for Manchester United, and close to England recognition. Callum Wilson, who leads Bournemouth’s attack and is in the national squad, also started at the West Midlands club. The Premier League and England owe struggling Coventry a debt.
At Charlton Athletic, academy heads Steve Avory and Paul Hart worked hard to develop Joe Gomez’s game, his heading in particular, and he now excels for Liverpool and England. Charlton gave Nick Pope his start in the professional game, and he now keeps goal in the Premier League with Burnley and is established in the England squad. Clubs and country owe Charlton, still labouring under an unloved owner, a debt.
So when the England players disperse back to their clubs after tonight’s match against Kosovo, the game should remember those who helped their pathway, whether as starter clubs or taking elite talent on loan, giving them game time and a chance. The FA, which benefits hugely from the development work of many of the EFL clubs, needs to fight for them more when they are threatened. For Premier League clubs, a better remuneration strategy that properly acknowledges the work done down the pyramid has to be considered.
When Jordan Henderson was 18, living in a small flat in Leamington Spa, learning to cook and playing on loan at Coventry City from Sunderland, he was written up as “the highly rated teenage winger” by the Coventry Telegraph. Now he’s captaining Liverpool and an England regular. James Maddison also began at Coventry. Now he is starring for Leicester City, a target for Manchester United, and close to England recognition. Callum Wilson, who leads Bournemouth’s attack and is in the national squad, also started at the West Midlands club. The Premier League and England owe struggling Coventry a debt.
At Charlton Athletic, academy heads Steve Avory and Paul Hart worked hard to develop Joe Gomez’s game, his heading in particular, and he now excels for Liverpool and England. Charlton gave Nick Pope his start in the professional game, and he now keeps goal in the Premier League with Burnley and is established in the England squad. Clubs and country owe Charlton, still labouring under an unloved owner, a debt.
So when the England players disperse back to their clubs after tonight’s match against Kosovo, the game should remember those who helped their pathway, whether as starter clubs or taking elite talent on loan, giving them game time and a chance. The FA, which benefits hugely from the development work of many of the EFL clubs, needs to fight for them more when they are threatened. For Premier League clubs, a better remuneration strategy that properly acknowledges the work done down the pyramid has to be considered.