Was involved with youth football some years back and like to think was a reasonable influence on some who went on to better things. Rules changed and pro clubs used their influence to bring in academies, "special" training etc, etc. My grandson aged 7 plays and is half decent for his age, he also believes in Santa and the tooth fairy, in other words he is still a babby who doesn't need any "you could be a footballer" talk, just play, play with his mates and in 5/6/7 years if he is good enough then see how he fairs. But I see parents at his team, mainly the mothers I may add who have their little "Johnny" almost a superstar because he scores a few goals or dribbles by a couple of defenders. There are a couple of kids in the team who have just been released by the Cov academy...aged 7, wtf is that all about. Another is being "chased" apparently by Cov, Leicester, Albion and Villa and when they sign, oh yes they have to sign, they are not allowed to play for anyone else and all this is backed by the FA. It's nothing more than a fucking cattle market, grabbing a load of hopefuls, sifting through them looking for the one in a million next Wayne Rooney. At the end of the day to quote perhaps the truest words in football, you have to be good enough, footballers cannot be manufactured, don't care how many academies or training camps you join, oh and remember a lot of these camps they have to pay, £25 a month at the Cov one, unless you are signed up.
