Academies aren’t needed at lower league clubs.
The ongoing increasing percentage of foreigners in the game sees more youngsters being released from the U18s & U21s of the big boys.
These released players then filter down through the leagues.
The importation of foreign players has lowered the playing ceiling for must English youngsters and players.
The only two Academy players near the first team squad are bit ‘part’ players – Wilson & Shrimpton. Neither are first name on the team sheet and are more squad players than regulars.
Thirty years ago, they’d have probably made good Conference players (?) – in today’s market, they are struggling to play regular NLN football.
The situation is the same at the vast majority of lower league clubs.
