What has happened with Barry Benell is, of course, at the terrible extreme of what has happened with kids at football. Also, it appears that what he did wasn't exclusively at professional clubs' youth teams. From what I have read, however, he got away with much and kept it secret because of what he promised the kids about their future and the clubs and that is definitely wrapped up in how many academies work and the system in general.
Through my experience as a junior football coach myself, I have seen professional club's academies take interest in players often and players train with/sign up with professional club's academies. The first of those is an important phrase as this is how clubs get around the age limits allowed - they don't sign a contract with a player, they invite him to "train with" the clubs or with a feeder club. I won't name names but there is a the academy of Premiership club - renowned for bring young 'local' lads through their system - who took on a local kid at 9, had him play for them for a year and then dropped him and he eventually returned to his local club. I see him play now at 19 and it is only in the last couple of years that I have really seen him regain any confidence and enjoyment. I have also heard of other players who sign up for this academy who, at a young age, have to train separately at a satellite academy and then make their own way to meet up with the team on match days sometimes as far away as London. I warn parents of them and suggest, if they are going to go to a professional club's academy then, at least Bristol City or Rovers as they are nearer. They never listen though.
Of course, what kids who sign up for these academies don't realise is that academies only really pinpoint one or two players from each age group that are really going to make the grade at the club but they need a team of other players around them of their own age. Once the players get to 16 (if not before), they dump the make weights and only keep the one or two they were interested in - if that. At present, something like 0.5% of kids who sign with academies get offered a professional contract with that club. Obviously, they could end up with lower league or non-league clubs. However, many at that age become disillusioned with playing. I am sure we have all seen guys down the pub who were "on (insert club name here)'s books as a kid".
As a teacher, I have an issue with them as well because, although I haven't yet had to, I can imagine having to teach a less academic lad that is perhaps not that academic signed to a Premiership or Championship at 13 - formally, perhaps younger informally. There are enough kids with a "fuck you, I am not bothered" attitude. Thinking that they don't need an education because they are going to be paid thousands a week playing full time just would exacerbate that. Again many of the parents are just as bad and can only see the money or reflected glory. I remember when Scott Sinclair signed to Chelsea having gone through our local club, I had, at least, one parent quizzing me about how exactly he managed that.
Of course, people will say it is just a reality of life but why do we expect it to be unquestioningly? No other professions (apart from, perhaps, acting or dance) would be allowed to effectively have children doing apprenticeships from 13 when they are still in full-time education. Clubs above a certain level should not be able to approach a child until he is 16. Up until then, they should only be allowed to play for their local amateur or, at most, semi-pro club. Obviously, clubs will get around it the way they do already in buying a child's family a house so that they are 'local' to them but not actually being able to sign them until they are out of full-time education will make it less worth their while to do this. They will probably still find ways around it and, obviously, to be brutally honest, this system is so entrenched in our culture that no-one would think of dismantling it. Too many vested interests: clubs: parents and children. Of course, the government and football associations should protecting the latter two who may not know better from the rapacious former but they aren't brave enough.
Through my experience as a junior football coach myself, I have seen professional club's academies take interest in players often and players train with/sign up with professional club's academies. The first of those is an important phrase as this is how clubs get around the age limits allowed - they don't sign a contract with a player, they invite him to "train with" the clubs or with a feeder club. I won't name names but there is a the academy of Premiership club - renowned for bring young 'local' lads through their system - who took on a local kid at 9, had him play for them for a year and then dropped him and he eventually returned to his local club. I see him play now at 19 and it is only in the last couple of years that I have really seen him regain any confidence and enjoyment. I have also heard of other players who sign up for this academy who, at a young age, have to train separately at a satellite academy and then make their own way to meet up with the team on match days sometimes as far away as London. I warn parents of them and suggest, if they are going to go to a professional club's academy then, at least Bristol City or Rovers as they are nearer. They never listen though.
Of course, what kids who sign up for these academies don't realise is that academies only really pinpoint one or two players from each age group that are really going to make the grade at the club but they need a team of other players around them of their own age. Once the players get to 16 (if not before), they dump the make weights and only keep the one or two they were interested in - if that. At present, something like 0.5% of kids who sign with academies get offered a professional contract with that club. Obviously, they could end up with lower league or non-league clubs. However, many at that age become disillusioned with playing. I am sure we have all seen guys down the pub who were "on (insert club name here)'s books as a kid".
As a teacher, I have an issue with them as well because, although I haven't yet had to, I can imagine having to teach a less academic lad that is perhaps not that academic signed to a Premiership or Championship at 13 - formally, perhaps younger informally. There are enough kids with a "fuck you, I am not bothered" attitude. Thinking that they don't need an education because they are going to be paid thousands a week playing full time just would exacerbate that. Again many of the parents are just as bad and can only see the money or reflected glory. I remember when Scott Sinclair signed to Chelsea having gone through our local club, I had, at least, one parent quizzing me about how exactly he managed that.
Of course, people will say it is just a reality of life but why do we expect it to be unquestioningly? No other professions (apart from, perhaps, acting or dance) would be allowed to effectively have children doing apprenticeships from 13 when they are still in full-time education. Clubs above a certain level should not be able to approach a child until he is 16. Up until then, they should only be allowed to play for their local amateur or, at most, semi-pro club. Obviously, clubs will get around it the way they do already in buying a child's family a house so that they are 'local' to them but not actually being able to sign them until they are out of full-time education will make it less worth their while to do this. They will probably still find ways around it and, obviously, to be brutally honest, this system is so entrenched in our culture that no-one would think of dismantling it. Too many vested interests: clubs: parents and children. Of course, the government and football associations should protecting the latter two who may not know better from the rapacious former but they aren't brave enough.
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