Youngsters signing for academy teams

jonesey10 · February 16, 2017

Hello, anybody had any of their sons/close relatives sign up to an academy side? my 8 year old lad has just been signed to MK Dons academy. obviously really proud of him but just wondered if anybody else has any experiences of this, I assume it's going to be very time consuming over the next few years.

Prevenger17 · February 16, 2017

Just keep him away from Crewe and he'll be fine

zzr45 · February 16, 2017

Firstly, well done to your lad. As somebody that has done bits and pieces for an academy setup in another sport I've found that it's not as time consuming as you might think, it might be an extra couple of hours a week but shouldn't be overly exerting (especially at that age!)

My advice would be to make sure that your lad keeps broadening his horizons - don't just stick to one sport, if he fancies playing tennis, let him play it (academy might kick off about lads playing other sports, but that's their fear of missing out) but also keep non-sport activities in mind.

There's only one question you need to ask him after the end of each session - is he enjoying himself? If he's happy then that's great. But if he isn't then don't be one of those parents that forces a lad to go so they can live vicariously through their sons. The kids lack of internal drive will lead to him never getting to that top level - and then you end up wasting both your time.

So fingers crossed, but don't let them run yours and his life!

jonesey10 · February 16, 2017

Thanks 45, he's a keen tennis player too and i think that really helps with his quick feet and short bursts of speed. appreciate the advice.

Bruce Wayne · February 16, 2017

Is it common for clubs to have kids of that age? Seems very young to me.

jonesey10 · February 16, 2017

Bruce Wayne said:
Is it common for clubs to have kids of that age? Seems very young to me.

Seems too young to me too but he was at Chelsea from aged 6!! they released him last year and has been at Stevenage and MK dons since. they both offered him academy contracts but we opted for MK Dons. think most Pro teams will start their academy programmes at Under 9 TBH.

Bruce Wayne · February 16, 2017

jonesey10 said:
Seems too young to me too but he was at Chelsea from aged 6!! they released him last year and has been at Stevenage and MK dons since. they both offered him academy contracts but we opted for MK Dons. think most Pro teams will start their academy programmes at Under 9 TBH.

Goodness, that's incredible. A fair distance between Cobham and Milton Keynes as well, must be a fair bit of travel involved getting to/from training. One positive though I suppose, at least when your lad was at Chelsea they didn't loan him out to Vitesse

jonesey10 · February 16, 2017

Bruce Wayne said:
Goodness, that's incredible. A fair distance between Cobham and Milton Keynes as well, must be a fair bit of travel involved getting to/from training. One positive though I suppose, at least when your lad was at Chelsea they didn't loan him out to Vitesse

Thankfully he didn't have to travel to Cobham, Chelsea have these satellite centres all round the southern part of the country, we live in Bedford and the Chelsea training was in Luton, so not too far really.

Bruce Wayne · February 16, 2017

jonesey10 said:
Thankfully he didn't have to travel to Cobham, Chelsea have these satellite centres all round the southern part of the country, we live in Bedford and the Chelsea training was in Luton, so not too far really.

Ah that makes more sense

Per your original post, I have no experience to offer I'm afraid, but the very best of luck with it, I hope your lad finds it enjoyable (and if he turns out to be boss that he'll be signing for us

)

boris · February 16, 2017

jonesey10 said:
Hello, anybody had any of their sons/close relatives sign up to an academy side? my 8 year old lad has just been signed to MK Dons academy. obviously really proud of him but just wondered if anybody else has any experiences of this, I assume it's going to be very time consuming over the next few years.

My boy is a signed player, he signed when he was 9 also but had been at Everton, Man City and Liverpool form the age of 5 or 6.

He's playing for the u12's now.

He actually played against Chelsea last week at St. Georges Park.

Anything you need to know mate, just ask.

jonesey10 · February 16, 2017

boris said:
My boy is a signed player, he signed when he was 9 also but had been at Everton, Man City and Liverpool form the age of 5 or 6.

He's playing for the u12's now.

He actually played against Chelsea last week at St. Georges Park.

Anything you need to know mate, just ask.

Thanks Boris, who is your lad playing for now?
I didn't really want to know anything in particular, just peoples advice, things they experienced but didn't really expect.

big bobs beard · February 19, 2017

Just be careful, all this signing of contracts etc can leave kids with an expectation they will make it. Clubs are ruthless and drop kids like hot bricks as soon as they find someone better in a particular position. Keep it fun and a good experience but don't build his hopes too high - have seen many kids dropped by clubs by the age of 11 and it devastates them- particularly because desperate parents really believe they will be Gerrard or Rooney and pile pressure, expectation and ultimately disappointment on their shoulders. Good luck though!

Eggs · February 19, 2017

...be careful. Everything is geared to the club and not the kid. At the end of each season certain kids are released. The clubs seem like they are doing you a favour, parents cling on hoping they get kept on and kids think this is their future. Don't get carried away, chill and make sure your lad chills. If they are a Wayne Rooney you will know and the club will know. If you are a Wayne Rooney you get treated totally differently, even at that age.

edge · February 19, 2017

jonesey10 said:
Hello, anybody had any of their sons/close relatives sign up to an academy side? my 8 year old lad has just been signed to MK Dons academy. obviously really proud of him but just wondered if anybody else has any experiences of this, I assume it's going to be very time consuming over the next few years.

My lad was at Everton and Liverpool its not bad timewise, be aware just being good isnt enough , they look at all sorts, how he mixes in ect, also look after his intrests first, if he isnt enjoying it let him do his own thing.
Good advice above by eggs

Eggs · February 20, 2017

...it's amazing how quickly things change. When I was coming through the ranks in the 70s I think the youngest you could be to sign for a club was 14. There were no academies as such. I signed for a club at that age but because I'd been selected to play for Liverpool Schoolboys my club were not allowed to engage me until my U15 season was over. In those days representative Schoolboy football had the priority.

I'm not saying it was better then but it was certainly different.