A U-turn would not have been needed if proper discussions had been held.
It is obvious nothing had been discussed with any coaches in the academy before the ‘it will be scrapped’ statement was made. How do we know this – well that morning the U15s were away at Bradford and a parent said the coaches actually received messages from friends about what had been said ! They had not got a clue !!
That was wrong, then you find out that to shut it down was actually going to cost a fair amount of money. That would have been known if the correct people had been talked to.
Now we need to see what the financial plan is to fund the academy moving forward.
So for me the jury is out on Mr Hilton.
That does shed a bit more light on the issue for sure and 100% the details of a financial plan need to be available to see where any sponsorship funds would go.
It’s brilliant for all concerned that the academy has been saved including myself as an employee of it, but it doesn’t change the fact that the facilities are not fit for purpose and still needs major investment.
As it has been said the kit is second rate, the pitches are terrible and the office is very dated, the staff put in so much hard work for the young lads and must feel embarrassed at the facilities they are given.
So the hard work must start again and hope we can get some money through sponsorship as well as the EFL and Mr Hilton’s, so if any businesses are reading please, please try and help these talented staff and young players.
Precisely the reason why the plan needs to be aired .. first mention of sub standard facilities as before the closing of the academy was down to cost cutting and its past failures to see any returns via sell on clauses.
Sponsoring an up n running academy is one thing but knowing where any funds will be used is obviously very important , sounds to me like a total revamp required as well as day to day costs and expenses.
You would have thought the commercial side of the club would be drumming up financial support from local business regarding the academy, I mean it’s not rocket science for them to be doing their job in all aspects to help the entire club run better and be better funded surely
Agreed .. the club seem to have plenty of sponsors for match day games balls etc etc i would hope the clubs commercial department have / should have been approaching as many local businesses and any other possible routes of income in the way of sponsorship for the academy.
IMO .. The issues with GP ownership and the grey areas need clearing up after which more businesses and /or individuals may wish to assist, when confirmed the bad Swan smell has finally gone and he is finally history.