Team Development Re-organisation

[Theobee]

Heard from someone who employs a mother of a Bees apprentice, said her son been told that he will be released in June as they will not be running a youth team next season.

Not seen this confirmed but thought it could be budget balancing to run the reserves instead, which would make sense if they can easily pick up good developed rejects from some of the local bigger boys and prepare them for the 1st team or sell-on.

 

[toeneebee]

So no youth team? Where does that leave Barry Quinn?

 

[toeneebee]

Oops one N in Quin! lol

 

[Theobee]

So no youth team? Where does that leave Barry Quinn?

Can't he still run a Centre of Excellence without paying for apprentices?

If one or two are good enough maybe they could go direct to the reserves......IMO I think the gap would be less than the current jump between the youth and 1st team and unfortunately we can't afford both.

I think using the loan system and running a reserve instead of youth team would be more beneficial to AS and could generate more transfer income for the club.

 

[mundee4england]

Although its a shame that we will not be running a youth team, I think it will benefit the first team having the reserve system as fringe players, as well as younger hopefuls will be able to get games at a competitive level and be ready for first team action when called upon.

It also still gives us the option to sign up youngsters with potential and keep them in the reserve squad, just a question of how young you can get away with without it being too hard for them!

Looks like Scotty is balancing the budget and values a reserve set up over a youth team, if thats what he wants, who are we to argue!

 

[wanderer paul]

If the youth team is being given the 'heave-ho' then what happens to Darren Sarll? I thought AS saw him as the 'best' Youth Manager around.

I really can't see the Youth Team being scrapped. You need U-18 football for the 15/16/17 year olds to play in.

 

[TOMOGP]

Is it official that there will not be a Youth team, seems odd with Andy starting as a Youth Team Manager.
Although I do agree with a reserve side, if anybody read Gavin Strachans Blog, he actually said on there that reserve games are more competitive than "friendlies" and more use in terms of match fitness

 

[Theobee]

Although its a shame that we will not be running a youth team, I think it will benefit the first team having the reserve system as fringe players, as well as younger hopefuls will be able to get games at a competitive level and be ready for first team action when called upon.

It also still gives us the option to sign up youngsters with potential and keep them in the reserve squad, just a question of how young you can get away with without it being too hard for them!

Looks like Scotty is balancing the budget and values a reserve set up over a youth team, if thats what he wants, who are we to argue!

I originally posted ..........Not seen this confirmed but thought it could be budget balancing to run the reserves instead and could make economic sense.

I'am sure you've unearthed another thread mundee4england - Youngest Players?

I might be wrong but I think an apprentice is signed up at 16 / 17 and depending on their physical build some do not find it hard............Wayne Rooney for example...or our Dannis Salmon... I also remember when our own 15yo Paul Walker captained England Schoolboys a certain Paul Rideout was in the same team and made top flight soon after ......... how old was Norman Whiteside or Theo Walcott and the great Pele when selected for Word Cup squads?

A lot of clubs invest far more money than us in developing good young players only for them to be surplus to requirement every year - Clubs simply can't keep them all on as another batch are comming through, in addition to experienced transfer ins, because of the pressures put on some managers for instant success.

AS seems to have good eye and knowledge for the up and comming so they could be good for us to polish off, use and sell on for profit.............. look at the loanees used and being released this season.

A rich club's rubbish is a poor club's treasure so why waste money trying to produce more of the same when you can re-cycle better quality cheaper, Crewe did well for years and Wigan are not doing bad with cheap imports, getting them noticed and off loading for mega bucks.

 

[Theobee]

I really can't see the Youth Team being scrapped. You need U-18 football for the 15/16/17 year olds to play in.

Not saying it is.........but do we need to pay appentices and provide teams and backup to play at this level when we could redirect our limited resouces and exceptional players to a higher level (reserves) and bridge the massive gap to the 1st team?

Some of the players comming through the Centre of Excelence could simply be passed on to non-league for further development if they don't meet standard or requirements so we can pick up more from the likes of Reading, Ipswich, Villa or the Hamptons & Bromleys, Suttons etc. how else are we to produce and retain cover and competition for the likes of Mac & Elder and the rest of the 1st team? especially now that we have been promoted to a higher level.

 

[alexlowe]

well if it means more sam wood's, sam sodje, DJ campbell etc, i'm not complaining

 

[Stanley]

I very much doubt we are giving up on youth more the opposite I would have thought, but it could be that some changes are afoot as it has not been producing the goods lately.

 

[North London Bee]

The real problem is getting the better prospects to join us in the first place.

We had a spell of juniors getting to the first team about 5 years ago in Traynor, Blackman, Somner, Fieldwick, Julian and Hughes but none of them really looked like making it.

We also took Dark from Spurs who also made the first team but faded away.

Peters, Carder Andrews, Osborne and Charles have also come through the ranks
and I do feel that karleigh will make the grade.

I wonder if our record is poor or as good as others or as we can expect.?

I also remember the Juniors team of the late 80's that gave us Gayle, Bayes, Haag, Cousins and a few others.

 

[rebus]

There are no plans to disband the youth team.

 

[Theobee]

There are no plans to disband the youth team.

Good to know markbfc,

I can remember Marcus Bent comming through in the 90's and picking up Jay Tabb as a 16 yo reject from Crystal Palace and not fogetting our current captain Kevin.

With Millwall just losing the play-off final it should mean an extra 5k turning up at home instead of having S****horpe................should help towards the running of both Youth & Reserve next season

 

[brighton bee]

There are no plans to disband the youth team.

Good stuff!

 

[FlyBee]

There are no plans to disband the youth team.

we'll win nothing with kids...

 

[TW1Bee]

If the club runs a reserve side where will they play. GP ? If so will this mean an end to the Chelsea agreement if the GP pitch can't take what might occurr two games mid week ?

 

[brighton bee]

If the club runs a reserve side where will they play. GP ? If so will this mean an end to the Chelsea agreement if the GP pitch can't take what might occurr two games mid week ?

hampton? hayes? Im sure the decision to run a reserve side would not have been taken if it meant an end to the chelsea agreement - this isa good money spinner idhave thought

 

[unBEEliveable]

There are no plans to disband the youth team.

Just to confirm, how do you know this?

 

[rebus]

I sit on the BU board, who has representatives on the BFC board. Communication from these reps is excellent, they answer any queries we have, however small. There has been no talk of scrapping the youth team and the decision to do that would have been taken weeks ago.

 

[The H]

the reserves will play at the training ground...........

i don't sit on any boards though...

 

[Banana]

the reserves will play at the training ground...........

i don't sit on any boards though...

Will they play other reserve teams?

 

[Billy Hunt]

I sit on the ironing board. I've tried sitting on surf boards. It's not the same.

I've never attempted sitting on Stan Boardman as he is a scouser.

 

[GP200]

I sit on the ironing board. I've tried sitting on surf boards. It's not the same.

I've never attempted sitting on Stan Boardman as he is a scouser.

.............don't get bored on a board................................

 

[GEOFFBEE]

I sit on the BU board, who has representatives on the BFC board. Communication from these reps is excellent, they answer any queries we have, however small. There has been no talk of scrapping the youth team and the decision to do that would have been taken weeks ago.

It is great to hear about excellent communications concerning BU.
Are you able to tell us, please, if there will definately be a BFC Reserve side next season

 

[youngdelly]

does anyone know where the reserves will be playing? Can they play at chelsea as we host their reserves?

 

[Theobee]

If the youth team is being given the 'heave-ho' then what happens to Darren Sarll? I thought AS saw him as the 'best' Youth Manager around.
I really can't see the Youth Team being scrapped. You need U-18 football for the 15/16/17 year olds to play in.

Two years on and your thought has been proved correct as Darren has followed AS to Rotherham and the youth Team has not been scrapped but we’ve seen a Reserve Team set up and replaced by an Academy being developed under the guidance of Mark Warburton.

I now think, thanks to MB, the ‘Gap’ between the Youth and 1st Team has been plugged without having to balance the previous budget.

I originally posted ..........Not seen this confirmed but thought it could be budget balancing to run the reserves instead and could make economic sense.

A lot of clubs invest far more money than us in developing good young players only for them to be surplus to requirement every year - Clubs simply can't keep them all on as another batch are coming through, in addition to experienced transfer ins, because of the pressures put on some managers for instant success.

AS seems to have good eye and knowledge for the up and coming so they could be good for us to polish off, use and sell on for profit.............. look at the loanees used and being released this season.

A rich club's rubbish is a poor club's treasure so why waste money trying to produce more of the same when you can re-cycle better quality cheaper, Crewe did well for years and Wigan are not doing bad with cheap imports, getting them noticed and off loading for mega bucks.

I also think my original statement holds up now that Uwe Rosler has replaced AS, both UR & MW have better vision and knowledge proved by the first two signings emulating Crewe (Shaleum Logan, youngster from a rich club) and Wigan (Marcel Eger our cheap import), in addition to the youngsters already signed for the Development squad.

Now that Jon De Souza has been announced as Youth Team Manager it would be nice if someone could kindly update us on the current youth set up we have........... Age Groups / Managers and who supporters get in touch with if they discover unattached young talent.

 

[abee]

Now that Jon De Souza has been announced as Youth Team Manager it would be nice if someone could kindly update us on the current youth set up we have........... Age Groups / Managers and who supporters get in touch with if they discover unattached young talent.

Ose Aibangee is Head of Youth Development and the contact emails for all of the leading players in the Youth set-up are listed on the official website.

This is Ose Aibangee's : [email protected], and he should be your first port of call.

Generally speaking if supporters have serious questions or would like an update on any aspect of BFC then I strongly suggest that they contact the Club and particularly the managers/directors responsible. For example if you feel that there should be an update on the youth structure then email Ose or perhaps Peter Gilham and ask if perhaps it could be featured in an early programme in the coming season. To ask on the GPG with a 'fishing smilie' may sometimes catch the attention but it's not the best way to get answers if they are important to you.

 

[Theobee]

Ose Aibangee is Head of Youth Development and the contact emails for all of the leading players in the Youth set-up are listed on the official website.

This is Ose Aibangee's : [email protected], and he should be your first port of call.

Generally speaking if supporters have serious questions or would like an update on any aspect of BFC then I strongly suggest that they contact the Club and particularly the managers/directors responsible. For example if you feel that there should be an update on the youth structure then email Ose or perhaps Peter Gilham and ask if perhaps it could be featured in an early programme in the coming season. To ask on the GPG with a 'fishing smilie' may sometimes catch the attention but it's not the best way to get answers if they are important to you.

Thanks for that, I am sure some will find this information useful.

Maybe I misused a smilie on this occasion, lucky Les keeps GPG up to date with the BFC Squad.

 

[abee]

Thanks for that, I am sure some will find this information useful.

Maybe I misused a smilie on this occasion, lucky Les keeps GPG up to date with the BFC Squad.

Your comment that 'lucky Les keeps GPG up to date with the squad' suggests that you are unhappy with the way that information is provided from the Club and I respectfully suggested that you contact the Club direct. I'm not sure why the 'roll eyes' smilie but thanks anyway.

 

[Trandy]

Age Groups / Managers and who supporters get in touch with if they discover unattached young talent.

The best person to contact if you discover unattached talent is the Head of Youth Recruitment, Shaun O'Connor ([email protected]). The CoE is currently looking for volunteer scouts http://www.brentfordfc.co.uk/page/JobVacancies/0,,10421~2366957,00.html

 

[Les Beeavinu]

Thanks for that, I am sure some will find this information useful.

Maybe I misused a smilie on this occasion, lucky Les keeps GPG up to date with the BFC Squad.

Your comment that 'lucky Les keeps GPG up to date with the squad' suggests that you are unhappy with the way that information is provided from the Club and I respectfully suggested that you contact the Club direct. I'm not sure why the 'roll eyes' smilie but thanks anyway.

I'm not in competition with the club in any way and I'm not keen on anything I do being used as an example of the club doing it wrong. I imagine they have a far different set of problems to overcome.

 

[abee]

I'm not in competition with the club in any way and I'm not keen on anything I do being used as an example of the club doing it wrong. I imagine they have a far different set of problems to overcome.

Les, as far as I can see I am the only director who still engages with the GPG on a regular basis. rebus is on occasionally, Dave Merritt (shaggy) seemingly never these days and David Heath (BeeH) doesn't post much. Similarly Jon Gosling who is an Associate Director. I understand and am sorry that I've upset a few people on here (mostly unwittingly) and that was my mistake by engaging with them in the past. I try to avoid deliberately sparking people off but even this morning I put up a straightforward post in reply to a comment by b42long (who didn't complain) and without any agenda on my part and you have seen the response from 'nocoat'. I thought that 'nocoat' was a moderator but maybe that was something I had in my mind and it's incorrect.

 

[HerefordB]

Well, I find posts from abee to be informative, quite engaging and entertaining, perhaps with the occasional hint of sarcasm, but nothing to get upset about.
I have found however, that there are some sensitive, big egos on here that are very easily offended.
I do hope abee will continue to amuse and inform us, especially as he is just about the only Director to so.

 

[Theobee]

Your comment that 'lucky Les keeps GPG up to date with the squad' suggests that you are unhappy with the way that information is provided from the Club and I respectfully suggested that you contact the Club direct. I'm not sure why the 'roll eyes' smilie but thanks anyway.

Not at all, I just think that Les is doing a great job keeping BFC Squad updated in a summary format for all of us to refer to and I would rather see his overview instead of periodically trawling the BFC site; that doesn’t suggests I am unhappy with the way that information is provided from the Club and I don’t see that as a reason for me or anyone else to contact the club for.

I used that as an example with the 'roll eyes' smilie because your reply, which I highlighted, suggests that supporters shouldn’t use the GPG to ask for updates on any aspect relating to BFC but to individually contact the Managers / Directors responsible. Why?

I think most Fans prefer to use a Forum rather than emails for general topics, unless it’s sensitive information.

I’ve already accepted that I may have misused the initial 'fishing smilie' which has clearly upset you; it was most certainly not my intention to upset anyone. :shrug:

 

[abee]

I assumed that you were expecting a reply to this and why I suggested that you contact the Club if you wanted a comprehensive answer.

Now that Jon De Souza has been announced as Youth Team Manager it would be nice if someone could kindly update us on the current youth set up we have.

 

[West Wilts Bee]

Well, I find posts from abee to be informative, quite engaging and entertaining, perhaps with the occasional hint of sarcasm, but nothing to get upset about.
I have found however, that there are some sensitive, big egos on here that are very easily offended.
I do hope abee will continue to amuse and inform us, especially as he is just about the only Director to so.

I agree with you, I have got to the stage where I really can't be arsed with the sensitve buggers. and it is only posts by abee, Northampton bee, and a few others that keep me involved with the gpg. and i have to say I am really sorry to have to say this, because over the years, probably about ten years I have posted and also enjoyed reading other grapeviners posts. I now will only comment about bees matches. It has got to the stage where I am scared to comment about anything else. So well done ego boy's so sorry to have invaded YOUR space. Now off to cut a black couples grass. and no I am not get paid for it.
Oh sorry it has nothing to do with team development.

 

[The Pipe]

I agree with you, I have got to the stage where I really can't be arsed with the sensitve buggers. and it is only posts by abee, Northampton bee, and a few others that keep me involved with the gpg. and i have to say I am really sorry to have to say this, because over the years, probably about ten years I have posted and also enjoyed reading other grapeviners posts. I now will only comment about bees matches. It has got to the stage where I am scared to comment about anything else. So well done ego boy's so sorry to have invaded YOUR space. Now off to cut a black couples grass. and no I am not get paid for it.
Oh sorry it has nothing to do with team development.

Oh Come on WWB we all know that some have distinctly large egos and quite enjoy "putting down" us lesser mortals, what always seems interesting to me is that the vast majority of these people are no more connected with the club than I am.

I have no problem in putting my thoughts down on here which on many occassions are different to some other posters, last season Hypa23 and I were never going to agree but I would like to think that in all my "arguments" with him I tried to retain both a sence of humour and also a sence of perspective. So go on WWB dont let the buggers get to you, reading the grape vine is fun and when the big egos start to get all touchy I find it quite laughable ( also might even drop a small note to spark the flames!!)

I will wait with interest to read your next post and dont just stick to match reports........you know you will miss it!!