I cant sit back and bite my tongue any longer.
With the new football season just underway I wanted to highlight a side of football only a few see and even less talk about.
10 years ago our 9yr old son was approached by a number of professional football clubs to join their academy programme.
At the time it was all very exciting for him. Having thought long and hard over what decision to make he decided to join West Ham United. Given the way they welcomed him and the history of the club it swayed our decision. There was however one small problem for us as we lived over 75 miles from the training ground. The FA clearly stated in their rules that any player under 13 years of age wouldn’t be able to do this journey of over an hour. Where we lived it was impossible for us to be within 1 hour of a premier league academy, a process seemingly penalising boys from rural areas.
“Don’t worry” the Club said, we can register him to a local address and support you with any travel costs as this is perfectly fine. We didn’t think anymore and assumed by their proposals that this was standard practice. I worked for myself and had to make massive sacrifices to get my son to training and games at the least four times a week. My Monthly fuel bill was in excess of £400 a month and we often got home after 11pm on school nights. Make no mistake it was a massive commitment.
Our son started very well at West Ham and from the age of 9years old he began to “play up” age groups every season. The coaches were always on the phone to us especially when they got the impression he was unhappy with something. On one occasion they even got paranoid and suspicious that another club had approached us to get him to leave the club. At 15years old there was even a suggestion by staff that he might be selected for England Schoolboys. I was unhappy about this as it built hopes up of probable trials which didn’t materialise as he was ill with tonsillitis in the match the representative from England attended and was not asked for trials.
The then very well thought of academy manager told my son and us that he was very disappointed he was not given a fair chance or even asked for trial. He was not as disappointed as a 15 yr old with massive ambition / hopes and dreams. This was another example of how they built up hopes, only for parents to manage it when it didn’t happen.
On reflection this theme of false promises began to increase and became a familiar pattern, but at the time we couldn’t see this. Despite phone calls and promises I never once saw any financial support to get him to the club for training having convinced us of this would be the case when getting him to sign. How could I turn around and say “no you can’t go anymore”. It would have broken his heart as an 11 year old and given our location in the country where else could he have gone for his football as West Ham would have sought compensation. So in effect we were caught in a Catch 22 situation over his registration if he wanted to leave.
Family life begins to revolve around the club. As a Parent school holidays are full of football tournaments / games and you have to be prepared to arrange things at minimal notice. Dropping family events is the norm. The sacrifices as a family will be unseen by most and certainly ignored by the club. With hindsight we were naïve but like many we couldn’t see it and had no one to ask advice from.
At the age of 13yrs we were seriously considering pulling him out of the club given the travel commitments and financial pressures on us as a family. The club representatives suggested that he could start living at the club house from Wednesdays to Saturdays which would benefit us from reduced travel costs and thus reduce demands on our son. The club certainly suggested it would be to his benefit if he wanted to keep progressing. ( I now know this was complete rubbish). The club loosely liaised with his school and it all seemed fine. Make no mistake the school were the “kingpins” to making it work for him and not the club.
On the night we were being shown around the impressive club house we were suddenly interrupted by a phone call to discover that our sons best friend had tragically died in a freak accident. He was 13 years old when he died and our son has never forgotten this night when we had to race home from London to be with our friends. This had a major impact on our son and it is still seen today during goal celebrations.
Things eventually settled down for a couple of years until he reached 16. He had been scoring lots of goals and had been playing very well. We found it hard to go to a home game without being pestered by agents asking us to sign up. I didn’t like this part of the game and it was all “hush hush,” conversations. We avoided these individuals who circled training grounds like vultures.
The Sacrifices our son was making at home, school and within friendship groups was massive. He was balancing lots of travel, school and large training programmes. Through no help from the club he managed to get all his GCSEs albeit we paid for a private maths tutor to pull him through the study pressure as a result of his football commitments.
Sixteen years of age is a very important age for a young player. It’s the time scholarships are awarded by clubs. There was lots of pressures from agents to sign and explore avenues with other clubs. We truly didn’t have a clue who to turn to for advice and nobody spoke about it. It was if it was some kind of a dirty conversation to have. At the time, our son wanted to remain loyal to West Ham and he chose not to have an agent at that time. To his credit he went in on his own and spoke to the academy director to discuss the offer of a scholarship. Some might think this is nothing, but it takes a bit of courage as a 15yr old to do this. He had been doing very well and the then director offered him a 2 year scholarship with a 1 year pro contract to follow.
The two years as a scholar went very quickly which saw him featuring at seventeen years of age for the U21s, playing against older players like Raheem sterling and Jonjo shelvy at Liverpool. Ian Abrahams (moose) even suggested via twitter he had been man of the match for West Ham setting up all three goals. He played behind a closed door game at Upton Park with the first team against QPR. He was captain of the U18s and U21s and during 2013/14 (as an U18) became the countries 2nd highest goal scorer despite being a midfielder. He was also nominated for the Academy player of the year. Videos and interviews started to appear via You tube and on the clubs web site. He regularly featured in “the goal of the month” videos at the club given that the first team were having a bad season and not scoring many goals.
As for our son everything seemed to be progressing well and at 18 years old he was really enjoying his football with a smile on his face.
That was until disaster struck for a second time with another tragic shock. One of his first friends from the Academy House, and someone he looked up to and admired both as a person and player- Dylan Tombides became unwell with testicular cancer and after a brave two year battle sadly died . It was another huge emotional blow. During one home game he walked out as captain of the U18s on behalf of the Club and laid a wreath in Memory Of Dylan. I know privately this was very very hard for him as it brought back so many memories. There was no support from the club and it was left to us to help him through this before and after games.
At the beginning of the 2014/15 season (his 1st year as a pro at West ham), everything seemed fine and he had been training regularly with the first team. A new Academy director had come to the club to replace the outgoing Tony Carr.
The new Academy director spoke to our son about his goal scoring and heaping praise upon him but was worried why he only had a year left on his contract. It all looked very positive for our son to keep progressing and in December 2014 he was asked to attend the Bobby Moore Foundation annual event in London to represent the club. Standing up with other famous sports stars like David Seaman and Mo Farah he was introduced as a top upcoming U21 player within the club. There was no indication that he would be leaving the club or hadn’t been performing.
He was at this time playing every game for the U21s in preseason against lower league first teams and doing well. However I began to notice during these Barclays U21s premier league games that the manager at the time seemed to have a difficult working relationship with the new Academy director. There was obviously something going on behind the scenes as I and other parents could sense the tension between staff. The new Academy director had brought in his own son and given him a long contract. Standing in the crowd watching games and performances his son who was a couple years older than ours was glaringly below standard to all onlookers and mutterings of how he was offered a contract were rife.
On one particular day The Academy director approached me outside Cambridge United’s ground where I was waiting for my son after he had just played for West hams U21s against Cambridge United first team. The Academy director asked me to confirm that our son only had a one year left on his contract and that he suggested he wanted this extended as soon as possible. We took this as positive feedback and I got the impression The Academy director was worried of losing our son at the end of his year contract, as other lads who weren’t making the team as regularly as our son were now on longer contracts.
Over the weeks before Christmas 2014 our son started every game bar one for the U21 due to injury. Scoring a number of goals in the European competitions, he was progressing well or so it appeared. There was no feedback to him from staff at the club, other than praise for performances, which is well documented in TV interviews on the clubs website. I can quote, “ he can score goals with both feet and play in any position”.
Not long after this, I had a conversation with my son and he informed me The Academy director had called him into the office to find out who his agent was. My son didn’t have an agent at the time so The Academy director advised that he would get one for him and would then extend his contract for a further 2 yrs. It all seemed like a conflict of interest so I advised my son to be careful and to explore all options for an agent. i.e One whom he could trust and build a good relationship with that had no affiliations to the club. We found a really nice guy, who had worked for the PFA and been a Police officer during a short career break from the game. We felt he was the ideal trustworthy person our son needed in the game.
The Academy director was unaware of this and again asked our son that he would get a further 2year contract and an agent. That was until he found out our son had appointed this different agent. Less than two weeks after appointing his agent (January 2015), The Academy director called our son into his office and told him that he wasn’t getting a new contract and was free to leave. Simple as that!
To say this was a shock to our son was a massive understatement. Everyone around the club was shocked. The Academy director couldn’t look my son in the face but assured him that he had wanted to keep him at the club but claimed Sam Allerdyce ( the manager at the time) was the only one at the club who had over ruled him despite coaching staff recommendations. Who could we believe and where did our son stand in all of this? He was devastated and once outside the office door cried his eyes out .
So in effect after 10 years of loyal and dedicated commitment to the club our son became a victim of this whole academy process. Sam Allerdyce was later sacked by the board and 6 months down the line our son is still exploring options in the hope he can find a new club or even new career.
As it stands a good young technical player released from a premier league academy has very little chance unless they have a club which is prepared to loan them out. So as a parent you must be prepared for this. When you are released as a young untested Professional at 19 years old it literally kills your career overnight, despite any previous performances in the U21s and such like.
“Why you might be asking”? Well its simply because lower league clubs can’t afford to pay or take a risk on a young untested player when there is little money in their annual budgets for squads.
Nobody around West Ham believed my son when he announced he was being released. We are still getting messages as I write this article. Our phone didn’t stop ringing from people stating they had heard the news and couldn’t believe it. All the clichés came out, “one door closes another one opens ”, “he will have no problem finding a club and be snapped up”, “they have made a huge mistake”. Privately this didn’t ease any of the pain for him and he is still without a club. He has even had to tell agents through his LinkedIn account to leave him alone and stop making contact.
So why this article? I want to warn other parents going down the academy football route. You will hear so much storytelling and false promises. Trust nothing you are told and always have a plan B outside football. Clubs and The Football association need to be brought to account as they are manipulating naive parents and young lads year on year for their own advantages. Clubs will say one thing but do something completely different. One minute your top dog the next your bottom of the pile and your son could become very isolated over night for no apparent reason.
Some will think I’m writing this article because I’m a bitter Dad because our son didn’t get an opportunity at West Ham. That’s not the case but this whole academy process does hugely affect a lads opportunities going forward once released.
What I’m bothered about here is the way clubs conduct themselves during the Academy process. I say this because I was recently stood on the touchline in the midlands of a U21 trial game. I spoke to parents of lads from Villa, Chelsea, Fulham and Arsenal to name a few. They all had similar stories to tell. Young lads facing the depression of isolation having given everything to a club from the ages of 7,8 or 9.
Don’t believe a word you are told by football clubs. West Ham have used our son, in effect to big themselves up about player development and then spat him out the back because it didn’t fit with certain staff when he chose a different agent.
I don’t personally have any frustration about what has happened to my son, more a huge disappointment given his selfless great attitude and a Commando ethos he learned from me over years of dedicated effort. To see him being discarded like trash while others of lesser attitude and ability move forward “for having the right contacts and agents” is deplorable.
We are very grateful for a number of coach’s who have supported our son , especially Nick Haycock and Steve Potts . Our son has many unanswered questions, but nobody at the club through the past 3 years has ever sat him down to say where to improve his game prior to being “let go”. On the contrary, staff were telling him from the age of 18 he was on a three year programme of development until he was 21. Why then did it suddenly change at 19. It was certainly not performance related. I suspect the only reason he was let go by the club was because he didn’t get the right agent. Very much like Ravel Morrison and the many other young players following in similar footsteps.
That however is for my new book and I would be keen to hear from other parents and players about their stories at academies from up and down the country.
I just hope our son and the many other players going through the same battle get the chance they deserve in English football. I hope English Clubs can start looking past trying to find the next Ronaldo in one off trial games and concentrate on consistent technical quality with excellent attitudes and ability to face defeat and learn how to overcome it.
Sadly having witnessed events in the past 12 months I have many doubts about English Football and the way its heading for our young English Players. There needs to be a massive change in the duty of care of our young player’s because years of promises in a player’s development can have a devastating effect when it comes to an end.
As for West Ham, the only person to have called our son to ensure he was ok is Nick Haycock who was incidentally forced out of West Ham by a certain person who has his own son happily in the squad. It’s a real shame because the fans at the club are probably the most loyal and dedicated fans in the world and the young players certainly deserve better protection.
YOU CANT WIN ANYTHING WITH KIDS- ALAN HANSEN
Hi Simon, brilliant article, i actually thought i was reading about my own life with my son at watford. He’s a first year scholar. I hope your son finds a club and i’m sure this treatment will inspire him to get to the top and show the ability and mental strength he obviously has. I’m afraid the words Allerdyce and agents have a tainted history.
Would love to read a book about academy experiences.
Hi, thank you for writing this, it has made me feel better that I am not alone.
Our son has just been treated terribly by AFC Bournemouth. Most people, who have no idea, will think this is bitterness. We can absolutely cope with the rejection but it is the way it is handled. My son didn’t actually get told a no in the end, they made him feel so isolated and embarrassed that he walked away leaving us to pick up the pieces. I don’t know if he will ever want to kick another football again at the moment. What I have learned is that it is if you face fits and ironically, after being told at the beginning of a two year scholarship it was not just about football, it was about how the players conduct themselves over the two year period, that everything these coaches tell you, its all bull****, all the boys who played up (bullying and removed from digs) and failed their GCSEs got offered pro deals!! The intelligent and polite boys were sent on their way. At the end of the day it is just a cattle market.
If your child does not look like he’s in the best 2/3 players in his age group they are just taking you for a ride . By 16 they will only be interested in getting these 2/3 to the next level .the rest of the squad will just be managed and receive the coaching . It’s brutal but honest .
Hi ive just read your article and everything youve wrote is what we have bn going through with our son whos a second year scholar…hate the game of football wish hed picked rugby to play instead!!..coaches talk with fork tongues no truth comes out of their mouths..last season he was told in a meeting to play for himself early on to this season was told its a team game our list could go on and on i wont name the club but wish he could go on release to another club just to show him not all club treat you like s**t!!
If u want your son to be on the same level as Raheem sterling , Saido Berahino and Wilfried Zaha then not only make them think a plan b is essential also ensure you do not make them believe there is a chance they will not make it as it will only lower their confidence
Hi Parents who have commented on this article, I am currently conducting some research into the effectiveness of the football academy system. My first port of call is to gain an understanding into how clubs have dealt with your child when releasing them from football contacts. If any of you would like to share your experiences through a short 10 minute survey/ phone call it would be hugely appreciated.
If you would like to provide your details and participate just forward them onto [email protected]
I will look forward to any responses.
Hi, my 12 year old son was just released from BHAFC academy after being there since he was 7. I fully understand that boys get released but it was the way he was treated that I take umbrage with. They said if he could change his behaviour and attitude within a 2 month period he could get a 2 year contract. They categorically said that his football was excellent and was not the issue. So he duly turned things around and behaved impeccably, even going on a week’s tour overseas with the club and holding his own, not getting in any trouble, being respectful.
I asked his coach 2 weeks ago when we would find out officially whether they wanted to keep him on and he said (in front of my son) that as far as he was concerned my son was at the club for the long haul and that he was very impressed with him.
Then last week his dad and I were called in for a meeting where they said it was bad news and after 2-3 weeks of discussion Sports Sciences had said he was not physical enough or quick enough to stay. They had essentially changed their criteria and had signed a number of boys who had already reached puberty and were pretty well built. My son is by no means small (I am 5ft11″ and his dad is 6ft2″ so he will definitely be a presence when he gets to 15/16).
Again, if they had just been honest and up front with us months ago we could have accepted that but to lie to my son and string him along is unforgiveable. What kind of lesson is this giving him, that adults promise things and then renege on their promises?
I feel they have shown him a total lack of respect. Regardless of the fact that he is a child, I feel they have shown no care towards him.
He has actually taken it very well considering but is perplexed as to why they didn’t just be straight with him months ago. I am sure in a few months, we can look at this as a great learning in his life. Of course he still wants to be a professional footballer and we always supported him in this but tried to keep him grounded.
I would be very interested in taking the survey you mentioned.
Many thanks for your article and I do hope your son is ok.
Hi, excellent article and insight into the academy process in the UK.
I am a third year sport studies student at the University of Central Lancashire and currently in the process of writing my dissertation on the psychological and social effect of rejection from football academies on scholars. Your insight would be extremely valuable and if you would be willing to help please contact me via email on [email protected]
Similarly to anyone who has been through a similar process if you would like to get in contact any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Hi All. Just been informed that my son won’t be offered a scholarship because he is to small.
I thought the coach handled it well but I was disappointed with the harsh way the club behaved towards him considering the amount of dedication he showed to the club.
To be honest it is a relief. The whole Academy setup is a VERY NEGATIVE environment. The EPPP is worthless and a bit of a sham.
My advice to any parents of young children scouted by pro clubs is don’t do it.
The best age to go in is U15 and above and only if the child is strong enough to cope with the stress and mental abuse that comes with it.
If he (she) is good enough, they can make it anyway. Don’t be bullied into it.
Great article and its very sad to read about these experiences. The academy game has been adapted in a way that there is no policing.I’m toying with an idea that will make the process of choosing an academy based on the OFSTED type approach. Its important that we have a platform were parents can understand where is suitable to place there children, I too have had some lets say interesting experiences and disappointments for a talented 15 year old. Parents experiences positive or negative have to be uploaded onto a platform where the Academy is reviewed and marked by performance. The League audit process is very in house and usually performed by an ex player/coach who will always try to help the club in which ever way he can. Trust me I know. I read the word bitter, in the context that the player and parent were possibly bitter when there child didn’t progress. Trust me that’s the word that has been bantered around for years in senior football,that’s the word to hush the situation up. I feel for your lad and the you with the time. Money and commitment that you have put in.
Football at youth level is now in a place were every tom dick and Brian wants a piece of it.
The ex pros don’t want the jobs, because of the poor pay, so its now left to a chap who knows the grass rout scene, or a coach who should have been a professional, but had a paper round, or played in Sweden.
I’m passionate about the treatment of parents and the next generation of kids in the game. The only way to change is having the review approach.
An interesting article, thanks for sharing your experience. I currently coach an U8 grass roots side. 5 of my boys have been offered contracts for next season (U9s) 2 with “top 4” premier league clubs and 3 with a Championship club. This includes my own son. I have parents asking me for advice on what is the right decision to make. I would be interested on people’s opinions who have experienced this before. Many thanks
I can confidently say, I’m not surprised one bit by this article and I truly feel for those kids/teens who are scrapped with a total disregard for their psychological welfare!! My uncle was signed for a top premiership club in the 80s when he was 17. Later on in his life after a career ending injury he always told me, if you ever have a son who wants to be a footballer never ever allow him to go into the Academy system.
So years later when our son started to play football, we were chased non stop by scouts. My response was always the same, thanks for the compliments, he’s very happy where he is, but if you’d like to come back when he’s 16/17 feel free. For years, I’ve been in around coaches, clubs, County FA etc and the bull you hear these people talking is astounding.
So parents let me make this clear and honest, academies only have their eye on 1 possibly 2 players in that squad. The rest are there to make up the numbers and help those 1/2 players develop more. Your son is also only there for 2 reasons, to win games and give the academy a good reputation, nothing more than that. They will blatantly lie to you and your son for YEARS with no problem at all. They don’t see anything wrong with what they are doing at all. The problem is, nearly ever parent thinks their son is the chosen one, because of the lies coaches tell them!!
So, moral of the story, don’t put your son into the system let him be happy, change teams as he grows, if he’s talented always look for better team for him to play for. This will also do his confidence the world of good, as when players are older they may need to move to a different club on transfer day with a moments notice. It won’t terrify him then. If he’s good enough then play him up a year at 14/15, not before otherwise he will be burnt out too soon.
Also, set up your own manangement company so that you as parents act on his behalf and ask the PFA to be present or look over a contract. That’s what they are there for and it’s FREE. never get an agent they will never have your sons best interest at heart. Only you ever will your son also needs to remember that.
So what of my son who’s just reached 16 this month. Well he’s playing for semi pro club and loving the experience. He’s been offered 6 trials for league 1 & 2 clubs for 2017/18 scholarship season and he will go to those trials all over the country, for the experience and then make an informed decision from there.
Nobody in life walks into a top job, teach your child that starting at the bottom and working yourself up to the top is a good thing and helps them learn everything about the game & they will appreciate it all more. It can be done, if the talent is there.
Very Good article – Totally understand your feelings – it is the hardest sport to make it in the world – too many people who aren’t qualified in positions they would never get in business. My son left a merseyside premier club and was treated terribly which was a real shame as we loved the place/coaches – the excuses for letting him go were so laughable we could hardly believe my ears. 4 years of commitment traveling thousands of miles insulted me and my sons intelligence. We were lead so badly down the path the recovery process of my boys confidence took 6 months & still leaves a scar. We all know we have to face disappointments in life but with young boys following a dream with pathetic politics in (Supposed) trusted professionals is a complete joke. English football is doomed…. money grabbing agents – bad coaches – too much money in the wrong places..too many handshakes….the list goes on. My son is very happy at a Cat 2 club and is enjoying his football at the moment but planning the divorce is on our minds this time round. Good Luck everybody
John in Manchester you hit the nail on the head!!!! Too many people who aren’t qualified!!! Also many of them are bitter they or their own kids didn’t make it. Seen it thousands of times. Down here in the south coast is laughable I kid you not!!
Such a shame to hear these callous incidents. May just be me but I wonder if us parents could also help by treating academy football as just a healthy hobby & a fantastic life experience? My son is an u12 in a fantastic cat 1 academy with great coaches who try to make it fun. When, not if in my book, he gets released I’ll be the first to say a big thank you. The stats don’t lie – even if the reasons are subjective and incorrect – we should all plan on our kids not making it, and let them enjoy the ride. My own opinion only, and totally agree that the constant driving and time commitment can take over. Good luck to all academy players & parents 🙂
Great Article,
Totally agree with John Manchester and all the other comments.
My son was released in December 2016 after playing International Football for his Country, only 2 months before his release and being one of the top players in the academy at his age.
The academy could not offer him A-Levels, only a BTEC,
although a recent EPPP assessment meeting I was in. The EPPP Auditors said the academy would bend over backwards to offer him A-Levels. The academies don’t like change or very bright children. They made some funny excuses, but as his father i went to every training session and match, so know his talent shone through and know the real reason on his release.
He’s totally rejected football after his release although there were many clubs interested in signing him, once they had heard of his release, but he’s not interested.
My son has thought “Whats the point in playing well?” and being part of the best when you still get rejected.
The whole system is still based on a few peoples opinions at the clubs and should be based on statistics and performances and the children’s educational interests. Not on what’s always seemed to work, the clubs need to change with the times and promote from within.
I think a lot of football talent is lost.
English football academies are run by fork-tongued liars; a bunch of cowards taking advantage of kids.
In any other walk of life they wouldn’t get away with it…
enjoy the ride while it last,
Hi i have just read the Article and all these comments made me really think about things. My son is 6 year old we have always gone with the flow and what he enjoys. He as been picked by so many club’s but we never seemed bothered.
Last year he was picked again and thought we would give it ago and loves it where he is, he with very high standard premier league club (Academy) but he as now been offered opportunity with Championship club (Academy) and really confused on whats best to do for him as he so young.
I’m now concerned that having him in Academy maybe a mistake and could ruin him. Me and my partner has just been seeing it has amazing extra training for him. We had no interest or even thought he would be picked for anything like this.
I’m now really confused because he so young and we all want best for our children.
This is something i really need to rethink about. After reading all this. I don’t want to ruin what he loves. Iv not wrote the clubs names down as i don’t really want to cause bother just need advise.
Having just spent 7 years following the dream with my 14 year old we feel gutted on his release. He has never had a bad report been told he is technically advanced yet this final one came as a shock that he lacks confidence and basically he is too small, he is now in bed crying at his shattered life. I wish I had left him where he was happy and avoided the academy thing. Our lives as a family have been dominated by the football and yes he has had some great times but the stress and upset he is now facing is awful. His school is an hour away from our home and affiliated to the club so he now goes in everyday and watches the others that got to stay, he has no school friends as he never had break time with them and his previous school friends have moved on and totally forgotten. About him so he only has usto support him – leave it as long as possible and avoid a ademies that’s my advice!
My son, now 12 was at a Cat 1 Academy from shortly after his 6th birthday and was in their Elite squad travelling up and down the country every weekend for matches. Unfortunately when he was around 9 I was diagnosed as being seriously ill and obviously his performances suffered as he was worried about losing his father. Rather than take him to one side and ask a player who has shone for the last 3 years what’s wrong and could they help etc they just released him. He was shattered and didn’t kick a ball for 3 months. Luckily he is now into his second season with a League One, Cat 2 Academy and is thoroughly enjoying his football again. The difference this time is that he will be more prepared for if/when the day comes he gets released.
It’s a difficult decision to make. Send my child to an academy or not. The training they receive is excellent and training extra nights along with games against better players improves them but it comes at a cost. Often lots of travel is involved, I’m currently doing around 10,000 miles a year (Training and games). You have to keep the kids grounded but also be mindful that they can be cast aside at anytime. Like someone said it very tough and a very low percentage of kids will make it at some level of football. However if your child is not in the system by a certain age then the liklihood is that pro clubs will not come in for them when they are older. So as I said at the start the choice is to take them or not, the odds are stacked and everyone has their own opinions about what you should do. But make no mistake about it, chances are we will all be picking up the pieces at some point.
Hi, sorry to hear what you have been through. Unfortunately it’s a cut throat business. I’ve spoken to so many people on this subject and came to one realisation. Where is the support for the players that are released? Why haven’t the P.F.A. put anything together?.
I have an idea which I have discussed with many parents and players and all agree that there should be a compensation figure if a player who is at a premier league club is released. These clubs are earning millions each year yet the kids who are released are totally forgotten about.. how can that be right?. So here is my idea.
If a player is released at the following ages compensation should be made to the player and if they’re under 16 at the time an Isa set up for them.
Ages 12 -14… £5,000 ( Isa )
Ages 15-16…. £10,000 ( Isa)
Ages 17-18…. £15,000
Ages 19-21…. £25,000
Even though this wouldn’t make the players feel better for the disappointment of being released it would go a long way in having a start in life even setting up a business. Premier league clubs need to remember they have a duty of care once a player is released…I really do believe this should happen and something the P.F.A. could look at.
BBC Newsround are investigating instances where children under the age of 16 feel as though they have been treated badly by football academies.
If any parents or guardians feel like sharing the experiences their children have had, it cant be strictly anonymously, please can you contact my email on [email protected]
Many thanks,
Oliver
My son has been right through the academy system from the age of 8 , and had to endure all 3 of the academies he has been signed by , closing … He has picked himself up each time , and ended up a cat1 premier league club … Now at 16 , he has just been told that he won’t be offered a scholarship , and again he is devastated … His mum and I are exhausted with the rollercoaster ride of the academy system and have driven hundreds of miles in the process , with the whole family timetable being dominated by the training and matches program.. We have 2 younger children and looking back really don’t feel the complete commitment , sacrifice and enormous stress our son and the rest of the family have endured is worth it and will be steering our younger. 2 children way from the academy system without a doubt
It has been so sad to read all these stories whilst at the same time it unfortunately confirms the way in which boys are being treated in these Academies. It is CHILD ABUSE. I too have had similar experiences as my son has been signed at 3 clubs over the years.
The 1st club was about 45 miles from our home and he signed as a U11. Unfortunately after a year I decided that we would not renew the contract as it was too far and arriving home at 10pm at that young age was having an impact on his schooling/homework. Furthermore it was exhausting for him, so on leaving I was told I would get some forms in the post that needed signing. The form arrived a week later and it was a YD10. I was oblivious to what it meant into I looked into it, and it was compensation rights for the club, which meant if my son was picked up by another club then they would have to pay my son’s former club compensation before his registration would be released by the club he had left. After doing some research and ringing the FA, I was advised to speak with the club to see if they would waiver it. After a good chat the manager did and he explained that he had sent the form out tome, because he thought I did not renew the contract because I was approached by another club. Only when I explained it was merely the distance why I didn’t renew the contract that he waived it. I thought how is it that clubs can put compensation fees on our boys, but yet the parents or boys don’t get a penny throughout the whole time they have been at the Academy. Its an absolute joke and farce.
The 2nd club was in Merseyside at the age of 13 my son was signed, and after spending a few years there he was later released. The coaches (not all) well the only way I can describe them were BULLIES. They were so harsh in their approach to coaching that one young player around the age of 12yrs was in tears. Players felt intimidated, scared to make mistakes, so failed to perform to the best of their ability, however the consequences of that was under performance. Players were also taken out of their school to attend so called ‘school release’ Some were even invited to leave their own schools and attend the school affiliated with the club, which resulted in some players, leaving home and going into digs at the age of 13/14/15/16. Sadly some of them that were rooted from their family homes and lived in digs, weren’t even offered a Scholarship after all that dedication. Absolutely disgusting and criminal it should not be allowed, but they get away with it. I believe as parents we need to make a stance and challenge these clubs. This sort of nonsense needs to be highlighted and they need to be held accountable. There is NO SUPPORT for boys that are released, they are just expected to get on with it. I know too many players that were released that have gone of the rails, suffer with depression or have no interest in football anymore.
Some of those players even played for their country Wales and England. You would have thought they would have been kept on and secured a scholarship. Now my son has moved onto a League 1 club and has just been given a scholarship, however since receiving that scholar the coaching staff seem to have changed over night. Their attitude towards the players stinks to put it mildly. Putting players down, telling them they are shit, don’t know why they have a scholar, its disgusting but more importantly it is impacting on some players self worth, and their psychological development. Once again CHILD ABUSE AND BULLYING. I HATE THE GAME, as I see what it has done to so many boys. I preferred it when my son played at grass roots level and the game was innocent and full of fun. Tournaments after tournaments we attended and it was great day out. Now my son is doubting if he wishes to continue with this club. I say to all parents allow you son to remain at grass roots level for as long as you can or for as long as he enjoys it. If he has a skill he will get picked up no matter what, but PLEASE PLEASE way it all up and make sure your son is equipped both mentally and physically to deal with this game, because at times it feels as though my son has been thrown into the LIONS DEN. Always check in on your son to make sure he is ok, always ask if you cant always be there how did things go, how do you feel. Make every effort to watch the matches because it is only then you will be able to get a true picture of how yous son is performing, as coaches feedback is not always a true reflection and can be confusing. Like one reader wrote we have coaches well pretend coaches that never made it in the football world, who I believe half of the time are jealous and unqualified to do the job, who would be better working on the doors in bars/clubs where their thuggish behaviour would be accepted.
My son is in academy, I recognise all of this I have scouts ringing me off withheld numbers, following me to the car park at the end of the training ground etc. at the end of the day you are naive if you put your lad in to an academy and think fairness applies. The clubs tell you what they want you to believe and it is a business. There’s only ever 2-3 players in an age group that have a chance of making it and if they aren’t in that then they are basically making numbers up so the 2-3 have a team to play in. My advice would be always sign for your local academy, the impact is then minimal. I tell my lad all the time treat every game as your last and just enjoy it because it’s better than Sunday league.
By the way don’t let them go on social media because they become targets for jealous kids.
Just read this article with interest…..my son is at a premiership academy (u13)and I’ve watched and witnessed things go on that would make people outside football circles think you were lying…..they would question your parenting skills for letting it go on but you kind of just let it happen…..bullying, victimisation, being ostracised and this is by the big tough coaches…..no arm around the shoulder, no explanations to why and they walk around like they are God’s that cannot be challenged….they are obviously power hungry and love the power they have over young boys which is to me is a concern.
I’m not bitter and twisted but I am angry at the treatment….my son is at the bottom of the group (fair enough I might agree) but they just seem to be dragging it out like a slow death rather than release him…it’s like they want us to quit first and think that the more they leave him out and “mistreat” him it will happen…….of course if I ask to leave they will retain his papers so we are stuck…..if I see the aging overweight failed footballing academy manager walking around like hes cock of the north again I might just volley him lol
hi great article – different but similar frustrations here – my u16 son been at the same cat 1 academy since u9, has been suspended by the club now for 7 weeks without any explanation. I know from speaking to my son that he fell out with his age group coach (more than once) and as parents we may even agree with action taken by the club but as mentioned no feedback from the club, all requests for details are either ignored or responded to with ‘we will be in touch’ . not in any walk of life would this be acceptable or even legal but these academies are full of arrogant men who think it’s about them. unfortunately it appears they can do what they want to force you to request a release.
I enjoyed every minute of it I was at Arsenal academy originally from America, but we moved to London where my mom is from at the age of 8. I played football because I loved it I knew I only had a 1% chance of making so my attitude always was let me do good in school and just enjoy however long I can play. I got my gsces done and then when I was playing for the 18u squad I had a series of injuries and was cut. Today the players I played with since I was 14 are still my best friends and I estentially have free season tickets anytime I want. I moved back to America with my family and I am studying computer science while training young kids on the side. The problem is too many parents and kids think they’re going to be millionaires just enjoying getting better and being a good athlete. 1.School 2. Football. Plus some of the trips we took were a lot of really great memories my parents came on some as well. Just don’t get caught in thinking your going to be a millionaire
Imo, these previous comments were spot on:
“English football academies are run by fork-tongued liars; a bunch of cowards taking advantage of kids.
In any other walk of life they wouldn’t get away with it…”
“not in any walk of life would this be acceptable or even legal but these academies are full of arrogant men who think it’s about them.”
“bullying, victimisation, being ostracised and this is by the big tough coaches…..no arm around the shoulder, no explanations to why and they walk around like they are God’s that cannot be challenged….they are obviously power hungry and love the power they have over young boys which is to me is a concern.”
But this is England.
So, anything is being reported following strict guidelines from the Top.
Therefore, any child abuse is being reported by the media as “historic”, i.e. ancient, no longer happening and thus no longer affecting the “industry”…
Btw, talking about “industry”,
At my son’s Academy (PL Club) almost every other week is devoted to a charitable theme, as dictated by the Top forces to every submissive subject in the Kingdom.
So, we have a disability week, an equal opportunities week, a gay rights week and so on.
Visits to hospitals and military graveyards, the wearing of ribbons and colourful laces.
All very honourable and admirable initiatives if only they were genuine. If only…
But this is England, where opportunism prevails and nothing is really genuine.
To cut it short, just a few days after the Academy’s mental health awareness week, a parent came out having some serious mental health issues, obviously affecting his family and his footballing child. The response from the Academy was very prompt:
That boy has been sidelined as “damaged goods” and will be released as soon as possible.
I’ve been trying to save my son from this “industry” for years.
He didn’t want to be part of an “industry”; he just wanted to play football. And he’s very good at it. That’s all that matters to us. It used to be a SPORT.
Could you please remove my previous post?
Sorry, but I don’t want my son to get in trouble with his club as he’s done nothing wrong.
Please…
Thank you very much
Fantastic article – to make it in any walk of life means disappointment and rejection. Harry Kane was apparently rejected for being fat! Can you believe that!
In your cat 1 academies in UK, do you have to pay for tuition, or is the only commitmet time and travel.
Over here in states although MLS clubs have academies, you have to pay for coaching. And the coaching now seems to be just let them play, let the game be the teacher. Anyway with travel expense tuition etc , it costs lots of time and around $5k a season for a U12, is it worth it. Soccer is big business here also, but only middle class to upper can Afford it. This is why the ?? will always struggle in world ⚽
Hi everyone, I’m an investigative journalist at City, University of London, with previous work published by the Guardian, Huffington Post, and Press Association. I’m conducting an investigation into some of the issues listed above, so if you have a story to tell please get in touch via [email protected]. Thanks!
My son has been in two trials at Premier League teams and both offered him pre-academy place in their development centres, at first I though wow my Son is really good but having read this and other feedback and stories from other people at different blogs etc I am now doubting I will let my son go that route. It’s not lack of confidence is rather the disappointment at how bad teams treat young boys. I am a software engineer and have made an excellent living with my own business and even as an employee I enjoyed so much lucrative jobs etc that I have beginning to try to pursue my son to become a Games developer and build his own video games through his own compa y, I can coach him and show him how it works and he will make a nice living without being like a slave to agents etc…. bad bad for football… so many real talent is lost all by this none sense… good luck fto those who decide to go that route without a plan B.
British professional Football is a mug’s game anyway, it’s ONLY about money and the game has ceased to be any more exciting than the amount of money a sponsor will throw at a team. Face it, the game is over!
How can anyone support a local team where the players are from the other side of the planet? It doesn’t represent the locality, just the amount of money available to buy someone. Then there’s the ridiculous merchandising where people actually pay considerable money to wear huge ADVERTS on their body.
Hie, my name is Hilmi and I am Malawian country in African. I have always wished for my son to be a professional footballer, I believe my son will be one of the players to make history. The only problem I face now is that I have no idea how I can get him to play for any English academy since he is from Malawi. If there is anyone interested to help I will be very grateful. Here is my email address “[email protected]”. Your help will be priceless
I’ve just read this article and to be honest the first half is like rewriting our story.
My son was at a Cat 1 academy for 9 years until being told last year (whilst signed as U16) that he wouldn’t be getting a scholarship. We were told that because of his 9 years at a Cat 1 academy he would most certainly be picked up at another club…..this was not the case at all. A few different trial clubs later and the pressure took it’s toll on my son who decided to give up just like that. His latest trial club was a 5 hour round trip 3 nights a week after school with games at the weekend, being constantly judged and scrutinised, as well as trying to study for GCSE’s (which obviously now haven’t happened !). Going from attending football practice games 5 times a week to nothing overnight was a massive shock for us all. However, slowly but surely you could see the pressure lift from his shoulders, he was a happier boy, having fun with his friends, sleepovers, no early mornings and catching up on homework because he didn’t have the time during the week. To be honest it was a relief but at the same time heartbreaking for my son who since the age of 7 has wanted to be a footballer.
He joined a local U16 team with his friends and another local team with the seniors, playing with boys and men much older than him and playing in every match. His confidence has grown, he’s got the love of the game back and now wants to pursue it all over again! He’s come back stronger because of the knockbacks and his resilience has grown. It’s going to be a tough journey I am sure with probably more setbacks along the way, but he wants to try, and for me that says a lot about his personality. So as parents, we will do what comes naturally to us, and support him in whatever challenges may occurr and hope that his hopes become a reality at whatever level.
Both my son and us as parents have said that if we had known what to expect over the years, would we actually do it all again…. I honestly don’t know because it has been tough, very tough at times, but the experiences he has had have been amazing. He is a very fit young man because of all of this, it’s given him a purpose, something to focus on and he’s made some fantastic friends along the way. Not sure which way the scales would balance for me though?…..
Those clubs will soon learn their lesson.. Covid will make football to be brought to its feet and only those who really enjoy the game will play it… money lovers and agents etc will be left in the desert wandering in their misery and wishing they would have studied and dedicated their time on something more meaningful… football (the business) in general is for weak minds, those weak minds that believe they can hit the jackpot!!!!
R.I.P.
Jeremy Wisten
Academy footballer
Child
Football Clubs should not be allowed to sign minors.
End of.
The government should step in and take control of this mess. It’s already causing problems. May be they should turn the academies to proper snd normal schools where kids can also excel in other careers and not solely football.
GK rejected at U13, in the midst of the COVID crisis & lockdown 2, where does that leave him now? No club to play for at midway point in the football season, won’t be able to trial for a club until May/June 2021.
So ruthless, insensitive and to be honest brutal. Honestly wish we had never agreed to him going in, they have just spat him out, with no thought as to his next steps. I understand the retain/release system but after the year we have had with COVID, kids not being able to play sports/socialise to still pursue a personal attack on his abilities when it’s actually his height which is an issue is beyond belief. Then to release him in Nov in the middle of the season is just in humane! Very disappointed with the academy system, relieved to be out of it both for his self worth & ours as parents & a family.
It starts so Young my son was scouted for a top top club age 5 and went through and stayed with them till 12 and they dropped him and shattered him he was regularly talked up by coaches and agents alike to be the next best thing in British football I knew it was bull knew he was gifted but I know the percentages to make it are extremely low. It’s disgusting as well the way they get parents on board with promise after promise. All that glitters isn’t gold. I wish we never ever started football he’s a changed person now and lacks self belief and has zero self esteem. My advice to any parent would be to go with a lower league clubs academy were they’ve actually got half a chance
Thank you for writing this article. Very insightful..
Reading all this makes my blood boil. Our whole story is long but in brief After 11 years committed to a league 1 club my son has been informed half way through his 1st year pro contract and in the middle of a pandemic, that he is not the type of player the team manager wants going forward, that he was not required in and around the 1st team no longer and would not be getting a contract renewal. They did not take contract away but gave him the option to leave or train alone! All this In the middle of a pandemic with a third lockdown imminent!! 6 months, prior to this personally chosen by manager he was told he had potential and offered contract but was told in not so many words that he was not quite ready and needed to play men’s football, gain experience, that there was a gigantic gap between apprentice u18’s but they could see potential and were going to help him. my son accepted the dream contract knowing that he would be loaned out and seeing that other young pros worked hard out on loans for a couple of years before making the first team, he’s was up for the challenge . He was loaned out to a club initially which was not approved due to league level and then loaned to another club in September until lockdown in Nov when the level of this loan club meant that they had to cease. The 7 or 8 weeks he was at this club he played about 3 games, there’s another story here of a power battle between coaches etc. Our son was signed unbeknown to the actual manager who had plans and players of his own. The assistant manager had trained our son before at 1st year apprentice level at the pro club, not a pleasant experience for many of the players in that team and resulted in said assistant manager ‘leaving’ mid season that year. During this loan spell my son was not allowed to train with 1st team at his club due to covid restrictions, bubbles etc and trained with another loanee during the week apart from 1 session with Loan club. From lockdown in Nov, after testing he was permitted to train with 1st team,( this wasn’t always the complete squad- sometimes the match players would rain separate from fringe players when preparing for matches) this lasted about 5 weeks before he got the news from academy director not the manager!! Throughout this time no indication/feedback that he needed to work harder etc was made, he always seemed positive that he was doing his best and just the week before the news was told by manager he had trained well – he probably was not up to 1st team level but to be fair how could he possibly be expected to be at the same level as experienced pros who trained together daily and played regular matches. So we spoke to the academy director as we were not allowed to speak with 1st team manager . We had lots of questions , grilled our own son to ensure he hadn’t done something wrong etc. This guy dodged our questions and basically told us that our son was not at the same level as the other ‘experienced pros’ – an unfair unrealistic expectation considering our son had not had consistent team training and had played very few matches since last March!! Also it was this mans statement that said there was a gigantic gap between u18’s and mens! This rule obviously only applies to certain positions!! 2 weeks later they brought in and signed another experienced player of the same position as our son. I must say also that our son is a striker (natural prolific goal scorer throughout the academy)and at this time there were already 7 in the squad. Quite clear now what happened – our son had a squad space, he was not ready/experienced enough for first team, due to covid and lockdowns, reductions in squad numbers allowed and the fact They were unable to find him any football – they needed to make space for their new signing. 2 strikers have now moved on since the new signing. We kinda get the logic behind it, it is not because he’s not potentially good enough, covid has messed a lot of things up for people but We are really cross the way my son has been treated. He still trains with the u18’s til his contract is up in June, it’s not ideal and not challenging enough really but it’s the only option he has, in a lockdown, to continue to play football. I think this would all have been better to stomach if the manager had explained his thoughts, reasons and even though our son would not feature in his team plans, he could have let him continue to train with the team because of pandemic, thus keeping his word to what he offered initially. There are some coaches that have been good with our son and ask of his well-being and try to advise him for his. the academy director promised they would not abandon our son and would help him to find a loan club til the end of the season but with lockdown and teams not training or playing, it’s difficult. 2 months on they haven’t even sent a circular. We still feel very crossed when the club talk about clear pathways and how there are one or 2 young players in the 1st team squad! Yes these boys have had a least a couple of seasons on loan, learning the mans game and developing. Our son was never allowed the chance and that’s what’s hard to chew. If he had had time on loan then didn’t cut it, fair enough, but his opportunity that to be fair came about during the most difficult of times ever, has been taken away from him without him being able to get stuck in and try. Covid pandemic will be blamed for a lot of things this year but I think we all know this kind of treatment of young players goes on year after year up and down the country.
Very interesting to read all the articles on this thread and good to see that it is still going and up to date. Some of you folk and your sons have been through the wringer it seems, and not just any old players but top level lads who have committed many many years to football only to be, in the words of some ‘spat out’, and are now massively disillusioned with the clubs and with the sport as a whole.
It’s very sad to read and food for thought. My 14 year old lad is a decent player and is currently being invited to a series of ‘Talent ID’ events at Spurs (3rd one in a few weeks) at which they seem to invite about 25 lads and then pick out 7 or 8 to go forward to the next ID event – all this just to get through and be offered the chance to trial for the Academy for 8 weeks. It’s seemingly very difficult to be able to even get a Trial let alone make it into the Academy itself, which is of course my lad’s dream. And he is young for his age, having a late May birthday, and he’s up against lads of the same ‘school year age group’ as him but that could be 8 months older and some of them look about 19 years old!! They are massive, strong, fast and a lot are black, as those guys mature faster, so that seems to be what the scouts are looking for.
He’s done well to make it through to the ‘third’ ID event and he’d be overjoyed to get a proper trial, even if that went nowhere, but I’m having second thoughts about it now, if he’s offered it. He probably won’t be though and I’ll breath a sign of relief, even if he’s massively disappointed. He’s already at Wycombe Elite Academy but its not a true Academy as such as he’s not signed with them or anything, and I guess they will just all stop at age 16 as there is no Scholarship to move into then. He’s massively committed, technically excellent, fast and strong, top of the beep test list etc. and I know I’m his Dad so I’m a bit biased. But I hope he just plays for fun or maybe semi-pro and studies hard, gets decent qualifications and gets a ‘normal’ job.
I always feel that my son is missing out not being at an academy and seeing friends kids signed at 8-9 years old to premiere league clubs , but reading this make me think he is actually better off playing in the top division within his league and growing in confidence. I think it’s more us as parents wanting them to be world beaters rather than just standing back and letting them play for fun. From what a local scout has said, parents are looking at their kids as theirs pensions and pushing them in to these situations,I say let them be kids and play football and if they good enough they’ll make it, education is so important so as a parent push them to finish school and have an alternative dream job! My 9 year olds said “ if I don’t make it as a footballer, I’d like to be a vet and help at the dogs trust or be referee, then I’d get to be on the pitch with the best players “! Kids, let them dream.
Here is my story.
My 9 years old son decided to quit from the largest local/national football academy after child abuse. The football academy or the coach could not enforce a safety / protection system from illegal hits or blow in order to protect skilled kids from injuries. Had to speak to the coach numerous times but in vane. He considered that the defenders had to stop attackers/strikers from scoring no matter what even with illegal tackles or pushes or kicks even on training games.
My son a skilled football handler with fast and abrupt acceleration and dribbling skills was taking the vast and all sort of blows from a particular kid (elbow blow, illegal tackles, punches in the stomach, kick blows, hits/pushes at the back) that resulted to a football game that suppose to be fun and enjoyable to become a violent and child abusing game.
use of ice packs were the norm after each football practice. Before Christmas and Summer my son was limping (cause and effect). After a whole year passed and 10 days from the start of new season (we paid for registration and cloths) we were forced to quit from the club after same coach continued to allow abusive hits to my son, with the final one that caused me to erupt a blow to my sons scrotum, after the same kid tackled him from behind with raised leg without a mere detention. Had an argument with other kids father (right or wrong I dont care) at the end of the game after my son confirmed the bare facts, and a coach debate while accusing him of foul play against my son. I felt that my sons life was in danger if I had not acted. As I said I had enough and it was time to move on hoping for better days.
My first priority is the Health and Safety of my Son. The academy name is not important to us anymore.
Can my son become a football player of premier division?? only time will tell but at least he still has his health and body integrity to claim this in the future if such an opportunity arises.