Over the course of history, the North East of England has been a hot bed of football. A region saturated with footballing talent and pedigree, which became a prime destination for visiting scouts and talent spotters. Jackie Milburn, the Charlton brothers are joined in more recent times by Paul Gascoigne, Alan Shearer, Peter Beardsley, Chris Waddle and Andy Carroll all heralding from the proud, working class area. Since the introduction of the Premier league back in 1992, the once saturated area has all but dried up and evaporated. Less and less Geordies, or North Eastern talent for that matter have reached the pinnacles of football or the highest level. Newcastle United, like many other clubs are looking to European and worldwide markets to purchase the next generation of talent. I want if possible to delve into the problem; what is wrong with youth football in England and specifically Newcastle United? Why are we as the nation who created the beautiful game decades behind opposing elite nations? By doing this it’s then possible to offer solutions, for what has been a hot topic for many years.
There is nothing more fulfilling as a fan than watching ‘one of your own’ fulfil their dreams on the grandest stage. We as fans can relate to the players upbringing and background. Seeing a progression of raw potential realise their talent and skills is heart warming and joyous to many. This scenario is ever disappearing, replaced with foreign counterparts from all corners of the world brought in, disengaged from the club, region and fans, lured by money, greedy agents and career aspirations. The raw potential however is still there, hidden within grassroots teams waiting to be unearthed. Even after unearthing the raw talent that is only the start of what ultimately is a long road.
Unearthing the next generation isn’t a problem solely faced by Newcastle United. Clubs spanning the length and breath of the country as well as the nation in general search for answers in what appears to be a challenging yet puzzling conundrum. How to improve the national team as well as English talent is a topic of conversation which sits beside death and taxes; never ending. Change is usually brought to the forefront of conversation after a recent collapse or embarrassment at a major international tournament. After every failure, what follows is a predictable media berating of tactics, team selection and poor mentality of playing personnel, alongside a compulsory search for a scapegoat. What is highlighted are symptoms but aren’t getting to the root cause of the structural and cultural deficiencies faced by clubs within this country and a nation in general. Articles, reports and research are published and we look to improve and progress. England and the FA attempt to ‘progress’ by copying another nations techniques in one shape or form. By doing this are we actually achieving anything? England as a footballing nation has no independent identity. What do we actually stand for in footballing terms? Copying or mimicking limits the capacity and capability to improve. Without continual progression can we as a nation move with the times? Sure it’s acceptable to use ideas and concepts but what’s important is to maximise the strengths the nations players have within their arsenal.
There is no right and wrong answer in what I set out to achieve. Every individual has an opinion on what is a very grey area however I will attempt to highlight what I believe are major flaws in the youth coaching structure.
Philosophy and mind-set
“Long ball”, “hoof ball”, question any football fan around the globe and more than likely these two comments will be attributed the style of English football. A stigma which has for so long blighted English football. Is there an unwillingness to readdress the notion or do we simply not possess the capacity to change? 1970 this was the only acceptable form of football English fans would accept. Cries of “lob it up” and “hoofed it clear” roared fans on the terraces across the country. Players who refused to play to this narrative were labelled “fancy Dan’s”. Over 40 years later and still the same football appears to be regurgitated year upon year. Evolution and revolution appear to have bypassed English football.
A report published by Richard Lewis, in 2008 on behalf of the FA and Premier league unearthed frightening flaws in philosophy and mind-sets. Lewis, after interviewing many children of differing age groups discovered many play football with a fearful mind-set. Children as young as 9 saw only two outcomes from a game. Winning and losing. Whilst that is hardly surprising given most fans think in the same fashion the thought of young children playing with fear is frightening. Children were said to be fearful of losing, fearful of making mistakes, which could trigger ridicule from fellow team mates and finally letting down most knowns (parents). Whilst playing with fear it was suggested the children would never unleash their true ability. Playing with fear inhibits the child from ultimately letting go and enjoying the game. Compare this to Guillermo Amor, former Barcelona technical director of youth football who was quoted saying “From the outset, the boys learn not to be afraid of having possession. In fact they learn to love the ball” the philosophy couldn’t be anymore contrasting. This is neither a new nor revolutionary concept. Back as far as 2001 Holland was adopting Rinus Michels’s Total Football combined with the famed Coerver method. In it’s basic form a child is giving a ball and left to express themselves. In a single training session children could touch the ball 10000 times. The philosophy whilst adapted in various ways forms a basis to many of the current modern, tactical structures.

Parents’ mindsets also play a big part in the development of a child. Parents attend football matches and watch their child play, hoping one day they reach the pinnacle. Parents will naturally want the best for their child. Questions need to asked of parents. Youth football is seen as a social outing in Holland. Parents gather and watch the game whilst mingling with other like minded people. The atmosphere is relaxed and children are giving a basis in which to play and enjoy the game. Walk onto any field in England and you will hear a parent bellowing instructions to their child. Overwhelming shouts of delight and scornful remarks of discontent fill the air. Is this the way in which a child should learn? We can link this directly to children playing with fear. If they are scorned at for poor/misplaced passes is it fair to suggest the fear of failure will play a prominent role? We must as a nation begin to remove fear from the mind. Portuguese coaches have created a wonderful concept. If a child’s parent shouts instructions the child is immediately substituted. This allows the coach to be the only voice the children hear whilst participating and leads to discussions between parent and child. The child now holds his parent/guardian with contempt for seeing him hauled from the field of play. This discussion will force the parent to reassess their actions.
Youth players making the grade at the highest level is becoming far more primitive. As mentioned previously, children have fears whilst playing but is this the end of the topic? I don’t believe it is. Every child has a different personality. Every child is unique in their own way. Does the mentality of a child define the path they will take later in life? Looking at the academies in England, so many teens are released. As a nation do we allow the children to have too much too early? The resources and money within the game now is frightening. Youth team and reserve team players are being paid considerable sums without actually achieving anything spectacular. Are these players getting too ahead of themselves thinking they have reached the pinnacle? Is such a large salary at such a young age detrimental to their ambition and desire? These are questions we must look at and analyze. Teens will face challenges growing up. Attraction to the opposite sex, alcohol, cigarettes, drugs mixed with peer pressure can lead many young, impressionable talents down the wrong path. Media outlets blame poor coaching and poor footballing philosophy as reasons children fail to make the grade. That is not necessarily accurate. Recent years have seen African football produce world class internationals. Most youth players don’t own a pair of football boots. With little to no facilities and no dynamic coaching how are they managing to produce technically gifted individuals? If the African nations can produce technically gifted footballers with pitiful resources is it fair to suggest it must be the mindset of those individuals to be the best they can be? Jack Grealish an upcoming talent was pictured lying intoxicated on a public footpath whilst on holiday. Grealish has considerable talent but at the moment he’s not the finished article. Many fans have jumped to the Aston Villa youngsters defense defining his actions as normal. The problem I have is simple; has there been pictures published of other nations youths lying incapacitated? Not that I have seen is the answer. There seems to be a pattern, giving players too much too early affects their mindset. Teens from other nations appear to treat football as a way of life as opposed to a money making lifestyle.

Grassroots – Funding and Facilities
During a period in most of our lives, we have competed in a football game in one shape or another. Council playing fields with poor drainage and dog faeces. Changing rooms with a potent smell of damp and holes in the roof. No running water or means of heating the building. Far too many are playing football in squalid conditions. Advances have been made in this area. By 2016 the government will have pledged £960million since 2000 but is this enough? With the emergence of charities such as the football foundation, grants can be awarded giving local clubs the chance to create adequate facilities. Last year the Premier league donated less than 5% of their allocated television revenue to a scheme which plays a major role in the development of the next generation. Compare this to Holland and the figures make grim viewing. On average every local club in Holland has training facilities in the region of €3-4million. The government pledge approximately €1billion per year into the initiative. For a country with a population comparable to London, it’s easy to see not enough is being done. Are the government and the FA failing our future hopes?
You may ask why I am looking at grassroots. English regulations stipulate children cannot attend academies until they are nine years old. Grass roots are the first experience many will gain from the beautiful game. Inadequate facilities will hold back talent. How is it possible to practice ball control and passing on waterlogged pitches?
Newcastle United have state of the art training facilities, amongst the best in the country. Having recently unveiled plans for further expansions to the training arena the club are looking to mix it amongst the elite. In order to move ahead of the competition one must be diversive and willing to move with times. Given children cannot join the academy till 9 years old what are we doing to address this? Coaching and mentoring of these children is carried out by volunteers. Individuals who are passionate about the game, attained a level 1 FA coaching certificate and receive nothing in return. If a child wanted to attend Maths or English classes, would you expect a volunteer? Subjects such as Maths and English would require the teacher to attain a salary, why can’t football be reciprocal? It is my belief Newcastle should look at creating strong links with the local community clubs. Sharing of knowledge and facilities, whilst aided in funding these clubs will enable the club to see potential talent up close and personally. Having a professional input early in a child’s life can only benefit. Volunteers have neither the knowledge nor experience to harness creative children. We are doing these children a major disservice operating in such a manner.

Education
The education we receive is what carries an individual through life. From career paths to knowledge and experience ones education defines them as a person. Government figures show on average children are allocated 127 minutes per week for physical education. Hardly groundbreaking when in contrast mathematics lessons are allocated 205 minutes. The government appear to be selling future athletes short. In order to fulfill potential one must train and perform consistently. Studies carried out claim between the ages 7-11 a child’s neuromuscular development is 95% grown, this means what they learn in these years are crucial. If foundations are laid correctly, with correct technique skill and values of how to be a good person and how to play their chosen sport, a child will have a higher chance of progressing. Taking this all into account it’s clear more can be done to allow talent children to shine. Young footballers in England have far harder schedules than European counterparts. English children must attend school for an average 6 hours then attend football practice afterwards. It leads to long days and challenging scenarios. Children can be left exhausted and lose social interaction. By having a longer day, meal times become unsociable, family time ignored and essentially being a child forgotten. As much as the stars of the future must train and hone their skills, it must be stressed they are still children and must be allowed to live as one. European nations forge links with schools. It allows a happy medium. The chance to receive qualified training whilst acquiring an education. Add to this rest time and the benefits will only benefit the child. European counterparts think of the child first. Sports and academics can work in unison with the correct structure, something the government can address.
Newcastle United could forge links with local schools and academies. Tailored made plans could essentially be designed to allow children with footballing potential to attain the required level of coaching whilst completing necessary studies. By creating a link children will be in the best possible condition to embrace every challenge. Exhausting long days will only stress youngsters and change mindsets. Training should be seen as a joy not a chore. It could also be beneficial for Newcastle coaches to visit schools and help teachers carry out training practices. Teachers are academics. Many teachers will be fans of football only, without the relevant FA qualifications. Is it fair for the government to insist any teacher carrying out football training within schools must hold the relevant qualification? Newcastle could in theory subsidize such a scheme. Whilst it won’t be mandatory, offering teachers the chance to broaden their knowledge whilst ensuring training is to a higher standard than currently implemented can only be beneficial in the long term development of a child. Creation of such a setup allows for a set standard. Children know what is being asked of them and can relate to every training session. High standards from school to first team allows continuity and progression. Educations perception of football appears haphazard and lazy.

Coaching & The Premier League
Coaching; the biggest single problem attributed by fans and media outlets for a lack of positive results. A team is the blueprint of manager, his ideas and concepts put into practice. Coaching over the course of history has evolved. “If god wanted us to play in the sky, he’d have put grass up there” quote from Brian Clough whilst managing Nottingham Forest in the 1980’s. Clough attempted to redefine British football and achieved success in doing so. Minds like Clough however are few and far between. The Premier League is the epitome of capitalism, a never ending cash cow and marketing juggernaut. Clubs cannot afford to stand still. Even the slightest of hesitation can result in relegation. Relegation is unthinkable now, the revenue from upcoming television rights deals is so enormous clubs receiving these payments will move further away from the chasing pack. Results are all that matters, clubs will do whatever is necessary to remain within the top flight. Managers such as Sam Allardyce, Alan Pardew and Tony Pulis are afforded positions as managers and lauded by the media. By all accounts they are unfit for purpose. Their football is primitive, abject , lazy and counter productive. Possession is replaced by defensive, counter attacking long ball. Long term development is being hindered by here and now short termism. The need to remain within the Premier League clouds judgments and the need to create a long term structure. Rather than investing in long term strategies, money is squandered buying short term fixes. The Premier League is deemed by many as the best in the world. What I see is an utter fallacy, a definition created by Sky to preserve the subscription of their television services.
Elite coaches operating in the premier league are now mostly foreign imports, as with players clubs have had to move away from the very nation that created the game due to inadequacies and flaws. How many British coaches operating would be appointed by a European club side? Rodgers, McClaren maybe? Does this statement not have alarm bells ringing in your head? It sure does mine.
You may be wondering why I’m saying all this but it has a purpose. If coaching at the very highest level is inadequate it will ultimately filter down through the chain. If Premier League stars are being treated haphazardly, what hope do the future generation have? FA rules stipulate now all Premier League managers must hold UEFA A license for coaching, a national standard set out throughout Europe. England however face considerable challenges though. The volume of coaches currently operating at the highest level falls way behind other elite nations. In some cases a 10/1 ratio. We simply do not have enough specially trained coaches in order to fully capitalize on the talent within this country. Research has shown poor attitudes to training in England. The course is highly professional, cleverly presented and gives clear guidance on the necessary skills needed to attain accreditation. Many coaches felt however the tasks were too regimented, there was little to no room for creativity. The great Socrates once proclaimed “academics destroy minds, they do not nurture creative thinking”, such truth and validity in this quote can be seen in the English perception of learning. There is no right nor wrong answer for situations, being creative and forward thinking filters the greats from the ordinary. If we are to harness our thoughts management will essentially become robotic. Paul Ince was appointed manager of Blackburn Rovers in 2008, despite not holding the relevant qualifications, the question should be asked why was he even considered? The FA agreed to fast track Ince in order for him to remain at the helm. If they are being fast tracked when are they going to complete relevant work? Situation within the Italian FA HQ there is many thesis written by Italian coaches whilst attending coaching courses.
- 1997- Carlo Ancelotti wrote “The future of football; more dynamism” full of charts diagrams and conclusions
- 1984 – Fabio Capello completed a study on the zonal marking system
- Roberto Mancini wrote a piece called “Il Trequartista” examining the role of a number 10
Would you like to see Alan Pardew’s thesis on the benefits of fluid football or how about Tony Pulis’ work on alternative formations to 4-4-2? I wouldn’t and they don’t exist. Our attitude to training is a chore more than an experience or a willingness to expand.
Coaching in England is an afterthought not a priority. Far too much is left to chance. Youth players are underdeveloped and under prepared for making the final step to the Premier league. 4-4-2 is still a formation used within the academy leagues. A system moved to history and buried by every other elite nations. Jak Alnwick is a prime example on a system which failed highlighted the clear flaws. Injuries to both Tim Krul and Robert Elliot last season promoted him into the limelight. What happened was a young player competing in a fixture way above his capabilities. Glaring weakness showed in the lad’s game. Alnwick had previously discussed with Alan Pardew about moving temporarily in order to attain experience however this was declined. Alnwick now has seen his contract expire and has subsequently been released. Whilst it may be argued he was never at the required standard did we do enough to give him the best chance? Same can be said of Remi Streete and so many others that are hyped with maximum potential yet never reach the promised land. Dave Watson and Peter Beardsley are running the academy under supervision but are these really the coaches we should aspire to? Beardsley obviously cares about the club as he’s from the local area but both individuals are not getting any younger. Do these coaches attend refresher courses and seminars to keep in touch with modern trends? Somehow I doubt it. Appointing Steve McClaren gives Newcastle the chance to amend the previous failures. Appointing young and hungry coaches appears to me the logical way we should go. Players of a certain age are trapped mentally in their ways. They revert to what previously works which will never benefit any youngster looking to find their feet now. Newcastle United need to review their policies when it comes to giving players experience. Loans to championship clubs and the like are vital in order for player to acquire first team experience.

Conclusion
I think whilst drawing this report to a close, English football it’s fair to say is in limbo. We appear to be stuck between a rock and a hard place. That doesn’t however mean anything is impossible. Newcastle United can create a well run and driven academy with the correct foundation and most importantly values. Players scouted should be judged on technical ability and not the stereotypical model; bigger, faster and stronger than their peers. Vision and awareness I believe are traits one can simply not teach they separate the true geniuses from the rest. Having links as previously mentioned with local clubs and schools can assist. Training within from a young age must be to a standard which runs right through the club. From first team to the youngest of player the identity and philosophy must remain identical. Encourage players to be confident in possession, respect the ball but allow creativity to shine through. Linear and static football should be disregarded and replaced with dynamic pass and move possession football, forcing players to think and find holes in defenses and weaknesses in setups. Players should understand the role of every position on the pitch, thus allowing freedom and creative movement to exist. By allowing players to understand every role attributes can be attained not necessarily stereotypical for instance a striker being able to tackle and press opponents.
Children who are showing promise must be tutored and encouraged to be the best they can be. Allowing the player to move through the ranks and attain relevant experience. Loans away from the high pressure of the Premier League prove invaluable. Whilst it may not be the same standard as the Premier League it’s a world away from the relatively weak academy league.
Newcastle have the budgets and resources to carry this out and implement a system professionally which could set the club up for years to come. Schools and grassroots all play a part. Newcastle should embrace the challenge and look to the long term and the gifts such a policy could provide. Until the club readdress current methods it will be young foreign talent posing as a ‘quick fix’ making the headlines not the next Alan Shearer or Paul Gascoigne.





