" Cardiff City to have under 21 team next season "

Mackay delighted as Bluebirds ease path for Academy aces to graduate
Jun 18 2012


CARDIFF City are smoothing the path for their youth academy players to make the first-team squad.


A development team will play regular national Under-21 League football next season – and the Bluebirds are expecting a high rating in the new elite player performance plan system.

“Clubs used to have reserve teams and separate training squads for that group,” said Bluebirds boss Malky Mackay.

“But finances meant that level was virtually stopped and friendlies were played. Under the new academy system, however, we can bridge the gap.


“It’s not easy for under-18 players coming out of youth football and jumping straight into first-team training with quality players.

“Under-21 League football will soften the blow and give them time to develop as opposed to being judged immediately as a first-team player.”

Joe Ralls, the teenager who made such a dramatic impact in City’s first team last season after making his debut on Carling Cup duty in August, is among those who will benefit from the new league.

“Joe is a prime example of a player who, because of the small size of my squad last season, had to be with me all the time,” said Mackay.

“But he played very little football and at his age he needs to play and develop.

“He may kick on and be in the first team next season but, if not, he will get games in the under-21 team.

“The important factor is that he will play far more football next season.”

Former Bluebirds winger Kevin Cooper will take charge of the under-21 side following his developmental work for the club in Malaysia.

Ibby Farah, Theo Wharton and Nat Jarvis – who spent much of last season on loan at Newport County – are among others set to benefit from the new set-up.

“The under-21 squad allows us to have separate time coaching those young players as opposed to them being part of a generic session with everybody involved,” said Mackay.

“But the first team and under-21s are not two separate entities. I am not having that, they are all part of this football club and the younger players must be able to see a path to senior football.

“The younger ones must mingle and mix with the more experienced pros.

“That hasn’t been available to us so far, but it’s crucial young professionals can watch the first-team players, learn how they act and behave.”




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Reserve team football back at our club with games week in week out for the players, absolutely fantastic news for me and another clear indication of how MM is picking our club up by the scruff and leading us forward.

I really look forward to watching some of their games, anyone know where they intend to play.

Reserve team football back at our club with games week in week out for the players, absolutely fantastic news for me and another clear indication of how MM is picking our club up by the scruff and leading us forward.

I really look forward to watching some of their games, anyone know where they intend to play.

Good news and hopefully we will see some more youngsters break into the first team

Where are they gunna play, would love to go watch.

instead of buying any nothing changed there then

instead of buying any nothing changed there then

When havn't Cardiff bought any players then?

This is excellent news and it's high time that Cardiff started planning on developing youngsters, hopefully we can catch up from years of youth mis-management. We have had nobody come through properly since Aaron Ramsey and it just goes to show how serious Malky and the Malaysians are about Cardiff's future.

instead of buying any nothing changed there then

When havn't Cardiff bought any players then?

This is excellent news and it's high time that Cardiff started planning on developing youngsters, hopefully we can catch up from years of youth mis-management. We have had nobody come through properly since Aaron Ramsey and it just goes to show how serious Malky and the Malaysians are about Cardiff's future.

instead of buying any nothing changed there then

When havn't Cardiff bought any players then?

This is excellent news and it's high time that Cardiff started planning on developing youngsters, hopefully we can catch up from years of youth mis-management. We have had nobody come through properly since Aaron Ramsey and it just goes to show how serious Malky and the Malaysians are about Cardiff's future.

I think a lot of our purchases will be 17~20 year olds, the elite U21 status will allow us to "poach" kids from smaller clubs. The big boys do it all the time, lets do the same.

Will the u21 games be shown on Cardiff City Player?

100 mil what as been invested in new 11 players for 2012 /13 all the players are blue at this present moment in time slag me of time maybe ..........

Kevin Cooper will manage them wont he ?

100 mil what as been invested in new 11 players for 2012 /13 all the players are blue at this present moment in time slag me of time maybe ..........

You taking strong drugs?

fantastic news - home grown players playing the cardiff way ......its obviously a long term project but with decent coaching you never know where it may lead .....a club on the up

What colour are they going to play in before I can commit