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"WE'VE GOT TO START PRODUCING" SAYS

Wed Apr 19, 2017 3:51 pm

Nathan Blake says we've got to start producing players from our accedemy as its been years without producing anything,Bellamy has to now bring them through.


I've said for a long time that the Cardiff City academy hasn't been fit for purpose for a good few years.

By Nathan Blake

Wednesday 19th April 2017

Nathan Blake talks about why the culture needs to change if the Bluebirds want to soar again



Where are the Merthyr boys? The Ely boys? Even the Bridgend and the Newport boys?

I've said for a long time that the Cardiff City academy hasn't been fit for purpose for a good few years.

And while new Player Development Manager Craig Bellamy is trying to get it back on track, there's still lots of work to be done.

Because it simply hasn't been producing the sheer numbers that it should be. I don't blame Vincent Tan, I don't blame Bellers, I don't even blame the players.

It's the culture that needs to change if we are going to see another Cardiff City youngster come through and make an impact in the first team. Unfortunately it might not be for a few years now.


Who was the last one? Declan John? And even he can't get into the first team these days!

It's such a shame because the fans really feel that affinity with young homegrown players — hence the clamour for John and company to break through. But it just hasn't happened and it can't go on like this.

Where are the Merthyr boys? The Ely boys? Even the Bridgend and the Newport boys?

Just look at how Tottenham Hotspur fans chant Harry Kane's name when he scores. A local lad is now a rarity in modern football.

But when your academy isn't producing it increases the pressure on the manager and his recruitment staff to find the right players for the first team.

Warnock will be forced to buy ready-made first team talents when strengthening his squad this summer. Because, with the exception of young Mark Harris, there's slim pickings in the academy right now.

There was the whole Regan Poole situation which, in my mind, changed the way the club's youth system was run. They obviously let him leave for Newport County far too young and — bang — all of a sudden he's at Manchester United aged 17. What a loss.

I think doubt crept in and the coaches started to give the young players a bit more leeway... an extra year here, an extra year there. It meant players were staying with the club until the age of 21, 22 even 23.

Thankfully Neil Warnock and Bellamy have arrived to change that, and we've seen a number of players move on. That's fine — go and play in League One, League Two and earn your stripes. They're completely right to overhaul the system and start again.

In my mind if you're not good enough at the age of 22, it's time to leave and find your football elsewhere.

Under-23s football is all well and good but a structure must be established whereby players can leave on loan to play men's football.

Be it a Conference South team like Bath City or Weston-Super-Mare or whatever. There's no substitute for competitive adult football. It's where you learn your craft as a young player and grow into a man.

I bet if you compared the volume of homegrown players coming through the ranks at Cardiff City between 1985 and 1995 to the number that have come through from 2000 to the present day, there'd be a massive difference.


I think back to my younger days and the likes of Jason Perry, Kevin Ratcliffe and Damon Searle. We were in a lower division in those days but the culture was breeding young hungry players.

Even a few years later you had Robert Earnshaw and the like.

In that era it was difficult even to break into the reserves' team, let alone the first team. And when you did, it was borne out of hard work and dedication — going the extra mile after training or doing your own fitness work during the summer.

Don't get me wrong, as a young homegrown Welsh player, the pressure is always higher when you finally play for Cardiff City. It is like playing for Wales in a way. You are representing a country and its capital city at the same time.

But the rewards are brilliant because the fans appreciate a local young boy who has made his own way through the ranks.

We've seen a situation at Cardiff recently where Paul Trollope has brought in Emyr Huws and Jazz Richards to inject a Welsh flavour in the side. But the fans haven't been chanting their name because they haven't set the world alight. It doesn't come automatically.

Huws is a strange one, it's obviously not worked out for him for whatever reason — maybe personal circumstances.

But in an ideal world, there would be four, five or six players from the academy ready to step into the Cardiff team for end-of-season games like this weekend's at Wigan Athletic.

There's not much to play for and it would be great to see youngsters given a chance... if they were there banging down the door. They aren't there and I'm certain it will take two or three years before they start flooding through. I really hope they do.
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Re: "WE'VE GOT TO START PRODUCING" SAYS

Wed Apr 19, 2017 5:33 pm

To many of the good scouts have left .they dont get tracksuits or gear to look proffesinal like other scouts
In the area. No business cards for ID when speaking to parents. The club need to get rid of James Mcarthy and his dad whos head of recruitment and get a new leader i place

Re: "WE'VE GOT TO START PRODUCING" SAYS

Wed Apr 19, 2017 6:31 pm

Crickey, I didn't realise the Academy had so many staff...
Taken from the club website, so who knows if it's up to date

Cardiff City FC Academy Management


James McCarthy
Academy Manager

James McCarthy took on the role of Academy Manager in July 2014. A former apprentice with the club, he has been involved with the Academy programme in a coaching capacity for over 15 years.
At the start of the 2013/14 season, James came on board on a full-time basis as Assistant Academy Manager to further utilise his knowledge of our Youth Development programme. He maintains the ultimate responsibility for the Academy as Academy Manager.

Steve Ellis
Education & Welfare Manager

Steve is responsible for all Educational and Welfare issues within the Academy and Club. A previous Physical Educational teacher with over twenty years experience, Steve's responsibilities include liasing with schools, colleges and Universities in matters concerning education and welfare. Another aspect to the role is overseeing all child protection issues affecting the Academy.

Gavin Reen
Academy Operations Manager

Gavin's key responsibility is in overseeing the day-to-day operations of the Academy. His focus also spreads to business management, with an emphasis on sponsorship, fundraising, budget control and generating income.
Gavin previously held a similar role with the Welsh Football Trust.

Darran Lovell
Academy Goalkeeping Coach

Darran took on the role of Academy Goalkeeping Coach on a permanent basis in July 2013, replacing former incumbent Lee Kendall.
Darran works with Cardif City's Academy Goalkeepers at all age groups, linking closely with first team goalkeeping coach, Martin Margetson.

Matthew Bloxham
Professional Development Phase Coach (U18)

Matt enjoyed a lengthy term with the Club's Community Foundation and Academy schoolboy programme, prior to joining the Academy in a full time role in 2012/13.
Having previously held the title of Individual Performance Manager, Matthew now works alongside Jarred Harvey to further enhance our apprentice programme and ultimately player production. Matthew’s input and knowledge will provides our next generation of scholars with key learning tools for their future careers.

Jarred Harvey
Professional Development Phase Coach (U18)

Jarred joined Cardiff City in 2014 as PDP Coach, leaving his role as first team manager at Welsh Premier League side Port Talbot Town.
He has previously worked closely with Lead Development Coach Dane Facey while at Cambrian & Clydach, Jarred leading the first team while Dane established a strong Academy foundation. Alongside his role at the Academy, Jarred maintains his role as Head Coach of the University of South Wales football squad, forging vital links between Cardiff City’s Academy and the University.

Dane Facey
Lead Development Phase Coach (U12-U16)

Dane returned to Cardiff City on a full-time basis in 2014 following a short term spell at Swansea City. He has been involved with the Club for a number of years, previously working with our Foundation age group, developing young talent from the age of five.
Dane's position helps to bridge the gap between Foundation and Development phases, continuing the good work of predecessors Geraint Twose and James Rowberry.

Tom Hutton
Assistant Development Phase Coach (U12-U16)

Tom moved into his role as Assistant Development Phase Coach in December 2014, following two years at the Academy as a performance analyst.
Tom previously worked alongside our Community Foundation, coaching primarily with the women’s side while undertaking his full time position at the Academy. As part of his role at the Academy, Tom showcases his coaching ability on a daily basis while aiding the development of our future City stars between the ages of 12-16.

Lawrence Hallett
Lead Foundation Coach (U5-11)

Lawrence oversees the younger age groups for City’s Academy, ages 5-11 years.

Paul McCarthy
Head of Academy Recruitment

A stalwart of Cardiff City’s Academy, Paul has been a part of City’s structure for 23 years. As a senior Academy Scout, Paul has also co-ordinated U18 & U16 matchdays in the past.
As the Academy Head of Recruitment, Paul's primary focus is on managing the Academy recruitment programme and recognising new and improving talent within Wales. He also co-ordinates and works alongside the Academy Scouts.

Ashley Latter
Academy Analyst

Ashley oversees the Performance Analysis department at Cardiff City's Academy.
Ashley previously worked in an analysis role at Ipswich Town for three seasons after completing his Sport Psychology degree at Bournemouth Uni.

Andy Shea
Head of Sports Science & Medicine

Having formerly held a similar position with Cardiff Blues, Andy linked up with Cardiff City in the summer of 2013. He oversees the entire Sports Science & Medical provisions within the Academy.
Andy works closely with Academy and first team staff to give attention to the finer details of these increasingly important aspects of youth development.

Chris Lewis
U18 Academy Physiotherapist

Chris joined Cardiff City’s Academy in January 2016 and is responsible for managing the Physio Department within the Academy from U9–U18 levels. As part of his role, Chris works on a day-to-day basis with our U18 side. He is also a Chartered Physio and was previously employed at Newport County, Welsh Netball and Glamorgan County Cricket.

Andy Whittington
Academy Sports Scientist

In his role as Academy Sports Scientist, Andy Whittington works closely with the physiotherapy department at the Cardiff City Academy to aid the physical development of our youngsters.

Re: "WE'VE GOT TO START PRODUCING" SAYS

Wed Apr 19, 2017 6:59 pm

Chris Holmes wrote:Crickey, I didn't realise the Academy had so many staff...
Taken from the club website, so who knows if it's up to date

Cardiff City FC Academy Management


James McCarthy
Academy Manager

James McCarthy took on the role of Academy Manager in July 2014. A former apprentice with the club, he has been involved with the Academy programme in a coaching capacity for over 15 years.
At the start of the 2013/14 season, James came on board on a full-time basis as Assistant Academy Manager to further utilise his knowledge of our Youth Development programme. He maintains the ultimate responsibility for the Academy as Academy Manager.

Steve Ellis
Education & Welfare Manager

Steve is responsible for all Educational and Welfare issues within the Academy and Club. A previous Physical Educational teacher with over twenty years experience, Steve's responsibilities include liasing with schools, colleges and Universities in matters concerning education and welfare. Another aspect to the role is overseeing all child protection issues affecting the Academy.

Gavin Reen
Academy Operations Manager

Gavin's key responsibility is in overseeing the day-to-day operations of the Academy. His focus also spreads to business management, with an emphasis on sponsorship, fundraising, budget control and generating income.
Gavin previously held a similar role with the Welsh Football Trust.

Darran Lovell
Academy Goalkeeping Coach

Darran took on the role of Academy Goalkeeping Coach on a permanent basis in July 2013, replacing former incumbent Lee Kendall.
Darran works with Cardif City's Academy Goalkeepers at all age groups, linking closely with first team goalkeeping coach, Martin Margetson.

Matthew Bloxham
Professional Development Phase Coach (U18)

Matt enjoyed a lengthy term with the Club's Community Foundation and Academy schoolboy programme, prior to joining the Academy in a full time role in 2012/13.
Having previously held the title of Individual Performance Manager, Matthew now works alongside Jarred Harvey to further enhance our apprentice programme and ultimately player production. Matthew’s input and knowledge will provides our next generation of scholars with key learning tools for their future careers.

Jarred Harvey
Professional Development Phase Coach (U18)

Jarred joined Cardiff City in 2014 as PDP Coach, leaving his role as first team manager at Welsh Premier League side Port Talbot Town.
He has previously worked closely with Lead Development Coach Dane Facey while at Cambrian & Clydach, Jarred leading the first team while Dane established a strong Academy foundation. Alongside his role at the Academy, Jarred maintains his role as Head Coach of the University of South Wales football squad, forging vital links between Cardiff City’s Academy and the University.

Dane Facey
Lead Development Phase Coach (U12-U16)

Dane returned to Cardiff City on a full-time basis in 2014 following a short term spell at Swansea City. He has been involved with the Club for a number of years, previously working with our Foundation age group, developing young talent from the age of five.
Dane's position helps to bridge the gap between Foundation and Development phases, continuing the good work of predecessors Geraint Twose and James Rowberry.

Tom Hutton
Assistant Development Phase Coach (U12-U16)

Tom moved into his role as Assistant Development Phase Coach in December 2014, following two years at the Academy as a performance analyst.
Tom previously worked alongside our Community Foundation, coaching primarily with the women’s side while undertaking his full time position at the Academy. As part of his role at the Academy, Tom showcases his coaching ability on a daily basis while aiding the development of our future City stars between the ages of 12-16.

Lawrence Hallett
Lead Foundation Coach (U5-11)

Lawrence oversees the younger age groups for City’s Academy, ages 5-11 years.

Paul McCarthy
Head of Academy Recruitment

A stalwart of Cardiff City’s Academy, Paul has been a part of City’s structure for 23 years. As a senior Academy Scout, Paul has also co-ordinated U18 & U16 matchdays in the past.
As the Academy Head of Recruitment, Paul's primary focus is on managing the Academy recruitment programme and recognising new and improving talent within Wales. He also co-ordinates and works alongside the Academy Scouts.

Ashley Latter
Academy Analyst

Ashley oversees the Performance Analysis department at Cardiff City's Academy.
Ashley previously worked in an analysis role at Ipswich Town for three seasons after completing his Sport Psychology degree at Bournemouth Uni.

Andy Shea
Head of Sports Science & Medicine

Having formerly held a similar position with Cardiff Blues, Andy linked up with Cardiff City in the summer of 2013. He oversees the entire Sports Science & Medical provisions within the Academy.
Andy works closely with Academy and first team staff to give attention to the finer details of these increasingly important aspects of youth development.

Chris Lewis
U18 Academy Physiotherapist

Chris joined Cardiff City’s Academy in January 2016 and is responsible for managing the Physio Department within the Academy from U9–U18 levels. As part of his role, Chris works on a day-to-day basis with our U18 side. He is also a Chartered Physio and was previously employed at Newport County, Welsh Netball and Glamorgan County Cricket.

Andy Whittington
Academy Sports Scientist

In his role as Academy Sports Scientist, Andy Whittington works closely with the physiotherapy department at the Cardiff City Academy to aid the physical development of our youngsters.





Bloody hell and the club still fail to produce.

Re: "WE'VE GOT TO START PRODUCING" SAYS

Wed Apr 19, 2017 7:33 pm

Forever Blue wrote:
Chris Holmes wrote:Crickey, I didn't realise the Academy had so many staff...
Taken from the club website, so who knows if it's up to date

Cardiff City FC Academy Management


James McCarthy
Academy Manager

James McCarthy took on the role of Academy Manager in July 2014. A former apprentice with the club, he has been involved with the Academy programme in a coaching capacity for over 15 years.
At the start of the 2013/14 season, James came on board on a full-time basis as Assistant Academy Manager to further utilise his knowledge of our Youth Development programme. He maintains the ultimate responsibility for the Academy as Academy Manager.

Steve Ellis
Education & Welfare Manager

Steve is responsible for all Educational and Welfare issues within the Academy and Club. A previous Physical Educational teacher with over twenty years experience, Steve's responsibilities include liasing with schools, colleges and Universities in matters concerning education and welfare. Another aspect to the role is overseeing all child protection issues affecting the Academy.

Gavin Reen
Academy Operations Manager

Gavin's key responsibility is in overseeing the day-to-day operations of the Academy. His focus also spreads to business management, with an emphasis on sponsorship, fundraising, budget control and generating income.
Gavin previously held a similar role with the Welsh Football Trust.

Darran Lovell
Academy Goalkeeping Coach

Darran took on the role of Academy Goalkeeping Coach on a permanent basis in July 2013, replacing former incumbent Lee Kendall.
Darran works with Cardif City's Academy Goalkeepers at all age groups, linking closely with first team goalkeeping coach, Martin Margetson.

Matthew Bloxham
Professional Development Phase Coach (U18)

Matt enjoyed a lengthy term with the Club's Community Foundation and Academy schoolboy programme, prior to joining the Academy in a full time role in 2012/13.
Having previously held the title of Individual Performance Manager, Matthew now works alongside Jarred Harvey to further enhance our apprentice programme and ultimately player production. Matthew’s input and knowledge will provides our next generation of scholars with key learning tools for their future careers.

Jarred Harvey
Professional Development Phase Coach (U18)

Jarred joined Cardiff City in 2014 as PDP Coach, leaving his role as first team manager at Welsh Premier League side Port Talbot Town.
He has previously worked closely with Lead Development Coach Dane Facey while at Cambrian & Clydach, Jarred leading the first team while Dane established a strong Academy foundation. Alongside his role at the Academy, Jarred maintains his role as Head Coach of the University of South Wales football squad, forging vital links between Cardiff City’s Academy and the University.

Dane Facey
Lead Development Phase Coach (U12-U16)

Dane returned to Cardiff City on a full-time basis in 2014 following a short term spell at Swansea City. He has been involved with the Club for a number of years, previously working with our Foundation age group, developing young talent from the age of five.
Dane's position helps to bridge the gap between Foundation and Development phases, continuing the good work of predecessors Geraint Twose and James Rowberry.

Tom Hutton
Assistant Development Phase Coach (U12-U16)

Tom moved into his role as Assistant Development Phase Coach in December 2014, following two years at the Academy as a performance analyst.
Tom previously worked alongside our Community Foundation, coaching primarily with the women’s side while undertaking his full time position at the Academy. As part of his role at the Academy, Tom showcases his coaching ability on a daily basis while aiding the development of our future City stars between the ages of 12-16.

Lawrence Hallett
Lead Foundation Coach (U5-11)

Lawrence oversees the younger age groups for City’s Academy, ages 5-11 years.

Paul McCarthy
Head of Academy Recruitment

A stalwart of Cardiff City’s Academy, Paul has been a part of City’s structure for 23 years. As a senior Academy Scout, Paul has also co-ordinated U18 & U16 matchdays in the past.
As the Academy Head of Recruitment, Paul's primary focus is on managing the Academy recruitment programme and recognising new and improving talent within Wales. He also co-ordinates and works alongside the Academy Scouts.

Ashley Latter
Academy Analyst

Ashley oversees the Performance Analysis department at Cardiff City's Academy.
Ashley previously worked in an analysis role at Ipswich Town for three seasons after completing his Sport Psychology degree at Bournemouth Uni.

Andy Shea
Head of Sports Science & Medicine

Having formerly held a similar position with Cardiff Blues, Andy linked up with Cardiff City in the summer of 2013. He oversees the entire Sports Science & Medical provisions within the Academy.
Andy works closely with Academy and first team staff to give attention to the finer details of these increasingly important aspects of youth development.

Chris Lewis
U18 Academy Physiotherapist

Chris joined Cardiff City’s Academy in January 2016 and is responsible for managing the Physio Department within the Academy from U9–U18 levels. As part of his role, Chris works on a day-to-day basis with our U18 side. He is also a Chartered Physio and was previously employed at Newport County, Welsh Netball and Glamorgan County Cricket.

Andy Whittington
Academy Sports Scientist

In his role as Academy Sports Scientist, Andy Whittington works closely with the physiotherapy department at the Cardiff City Academy to aid the physical development of our youngsters.





Bloody hell and the club still fail to produce.



be interesting to see the comparison with other academies and who they employ? Because with exception of a couple of clubs academies do not produce that many youngsters in their squads ? Looking at the list it seems to mirror 1st team setup closely. :old: