United v City player recruitment--Manchester

[lucky]

A fascinating read on how both Manchester clubs recruit young kids. City provides a private education to every kid they sign!!!. They are both probably spending more on kids football than any team in Scotland are on their first team squads.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/resources/...ester_cold_war

[Pretty Boy]

You can't really blame the clubs. They have the money and clubs across the board are terrified of letting one slip through the net.

It's still a bit uncomfortable reading though. Courting players at 5 years old and signing them at 9? Just let them play football ffs. I know a few guys who I played youth football with who went to pro clubs. Liverpool was the biggest and a scattering to Hibs and Hearts. The only 1 still involved in football plays in the lower leagues. All the rest are between 28 and 30 and don't play at any level now because they, in their own words, 'hate the game'.

[hibsbollah]

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You can't really blame the clubs. They have the money and clubs across the board are terrified of letting one slip through the net.

It's still a bit uncomfortable reading though. Courting players at 5 years old and signing them at 9? Just let them play football ffs. I know a few guys who I played youth football with who went to pro clubs. Liverpool was the biggest and a scattering to Hibs and Hearts. The only 1 still involved in football plays in the lower leagues. All the rest are between 28 and 30 and don't play at any level now because they, in their own words, 'hate the game'.

One of the best reads on that subject was a chapter in the book referenced in your signature, Nick Hornbys Fever Pitch. He was talking about Gus Caesar, the Arsenal fullback who ended up at Airdrie among other places. Hornby was baffled at how such a clearly useless individual ever made it as a pro at Highbury when he seemed, from the terraces at least, to be un able to successfully kick a ball in a straight line.

But on reflection, Hornby realised GC was very likely to have been the very best player at all levels of schools football, been the best player at his boys club, shone through when doing Sunday games at Hackney Marshes, been picked up by Arsenal, progressed as the best defender through their youth programme, reserves etc etc. And finally making it as a pro. GC was probably #1 out of 5,000-10,000 kids who were all good players desperate to make it. But from the stands he was a donkey because he got ripped one by Chris Waddfle in the near London derby? Harsh.

The reality is even the best young players have a miniscule chance of making a career in the game.

[tamig]

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One of the best reads on that subject was a chapter in the book referenced in your signature, Nick Hornbys Fever Pitch. He was talking about Gus Caesar, the Arsenal fullback who ended up at Airdrie among other places. Hornby was baffled at how such a clearly useless individual ever made it as a pro at Highbury when he seemed, from the terraces at least, to be un able to successfully kick a ball in a straight line.

But on reflection, Hornby realised GC was very likely to have been the very best player at all levels of schools football, been the best player at his boys club, shone through when doing Sunday games at Hackney Marshes, been picked up by Arsenal, progressed as the best defender through their youth programme, reserves etc etc. And finally making it as a pro. GC was probably #1 out of 5,000-10,000 kids who were all good players desperate to make it. But from the stands he was a donkey because he got ripped one by Chris Waddfle in the near London derby? Harsh.

The reality is even the best young players have a miniscule chance of making a career in the game.

You could maybe substitute Gus Caesar for Daniel Boateng. Captained the Arsenal youth teams at various levels, had a poor loan spell with us and has since made his way around the lower reaches of football and is currently at Airdrie.

[Haymaker]

Good article

[hibsbollah]

Itll be interesting to see how that Citeh kid 14 year old McAtee progresses over the years. Spends the morning at private school, then all afternoons training every day, eventually home after a 13 hour day? Sheesh.

[Haymaker]

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Itll be interesting to see how that Citeh kid 14 year old McAtee progresses over the years. Spends the morning at private school, then all afternoons training every day, eventually home after a 13 hour day? Sheesh.

Probably burnt out and hating the game by the time he's 18.