So farewell..........

[AFF]

....to Anthony Allman and Ricky Perks.

 

Although I never pass on rumours, word reaches me that Anthony is to join Margate, and Ricky is off to 1st team football at Sandridge Rovers. I expect that Webbo can keep us posted of the progress of young Ricky.

 

Chris Seeby is 21 in a couple of days time. A happy birthday to him from me.

 

Oh, one more thing. A moment for sad reflection as the pitch at Clarence Park is to return to the conventional two goals rather than four. Those two training nets have gone to Westminster Lodge where t'lads will be training for the rest of the season. I might bring a tennis raquette to the match on Saturday in order to watch the game through it. The effect will be similar and it might wean me off watching through the nets, slowly.

[Laz]

Would that be the annoying nets at the corners of the pitch that have been removed?

[AFF]

The very ones, Laz.

 

I always felt that they brought a certain 'je ne sais quoi' to the ground. You don't get four goals at Old Trafford, Highbury, The Lane, Cressing Road etc.

 

I'll let you borrow the tennis raquette if you're concerned that you will really miss them.

[Rob_the_Saint]

I'm sure the same purveyor of news won't mind me mentioning the first successful product of the Oaklands College course is set to start training with the first team.

 

'Darren Lancaster, a member of the St Albans City Youth Development squad (formerly the PASE then Academy set up) is expected to begin training with the Saints first team. The speedy striker etc etc...'

 

I hope all critics of this scheme will wish t'lad every success.

[AFF]

I've not heard any criticism of the PASE scheme, Rob. I've heard criticism of the decision to dispense with the Reserves and the links with St Albans City Yoof, but I don't see any connection with the PASE set-up. Who would criticise it?

 

Good luck to t'lad from me. Any idea of his background, Rob? C.V. That sort of thing?

[The Caretaker]

I agree (with all you say AFF), good luck to the lad.

 

If you were thinking of me with your last comment Rob then think again.

 

I will repeat what I have always said .... who from this club has been to watch these boys play ?

 

That is what I criticise, the people who sit back and let these things happen without taking the interest to find out for themselves. They then come on here and label people like me, who in the past has shown that interest, a negative person. At least my comments are based on the evidence of my own eyes.

 

Finally, who makes the recomendation to Sir Colin about these players. Is it Mr Castle (I know what most of you have said about his judgement of players in the past), it is the man who used to drive the red tractor as he now runs the second team for Steve (hopefully you all know the club runs two sides now ??) but if not these, then who ? Has Colin been to see them play ?

 

Recently Colin was asked if any boys were needed for the game when there were only two subs available and I am lead to believe he showed no interest at all.

 

 

All these questions Rob....... that whats makes me so negative .......

 

<img src="/forum/images/graemlins/ignore.gif" alt="" />

[cityman]

I think that it's unfair to say that CL showed no interest at all, he was asked at a very late stage so I'm told so could do nothing about it.

I believe that he is not kept informed at all however I thought he had gone to watch at some point..although I may be wrong.

[AFF]

I am truly intrigued by this one.

 

The 'St Albans City Youth Development Squad' has been given that name by someone. Tony Blair? Steve Castle? Gibbo? It was the government sponsored, Oaklands College in association with St Albans City FC PASE Scheme a couple of years ago. And it's now 'our' Youth Development Squad.

 

Let me remind yiou that I don't know anything about football but my picture is this.

 

The network of scouts from the pro-clubs scour the kindergartens of the United Kingdom and 'sign' promising youngsters at the age of about 18 months. Wayne Rooney, Jake Attwood, Greg Deacon, Chris Seeby, Ryan Moran are examples. I think that all members of our current 1st team squad were once on the books of some pro-club as were most players in the Conference South. Some make the grade {Rooney] but others are released at around the age of 15 or so. Those may then play for the Yoof set-up at whatever 'local' club they choose and some will be spotted by the local Non-League club and brought on. That is my asssumption of how the likes of Jake, Chris and various others too numerous to mention eventually pulled on the yeller & blue shirt at Clarence Park. How's that so far?

 

These people are then part-time footballers, they go to University or get jobs, pay tax, and all that goes with adulthood.

 

St Albans City Youth F.C., the mid-week Yoof side, The Reserves and S.A.C.F.C. were part of that 'loose system'.

 

Now to PASE. As I understand the thing, if a 'promising'* 16 year old footballer who wants to hone his skills under the tutelage of a UEFA 'A' Grade coach, but at the same time receive an education designed to lead him into a career in 'sport' ranging from the assistant manager of Westminster Lodge through to the Chief Executive of 'Fitness First', he may quit school, ignore the possibility of further education at University, and sign up for this two year PASE course at Oaklands. Is that about right?

 

[* The definition of 'promising' is quite interesting. Presumably Wayne Rooney would have his mind elsewhere, having been signed by Everton, as would those who have not been released by the pro-club who signed them up at the age of 18 months. Similarly, those playing 'local youth football' with aspirations beyond the assisant manager's job at Westminster Lodge would not be interested in a place with PASE.]

 

There have been various references on here to finance. Who pays for t'lad to join the PASE scheme? Does SACFC receive any money from Tone or Oaklands for their role in the 'initiative'?

 

My simple view is that, if it's a straight choice between a PASE scheme and a Youth set-up involving St Albans City Youth FC leading to a Reserves side, and if we can't do both, and if the sole aim is to bring players into the 1st Team, then my vote wouldn't go to PASE. I do recognise, however, that rarely is anything that black and white. Apart from anything else, I haven't heard any sensible reason why we can't have both.

 

I don't know anything about football.

[Rob_the_Saint]

Hi All

 

I wasn't aiming my message at anyone in particular but if the cap fits... <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/attentat.gif" alt="" />

 

Let's not include the Reserves in this discussion, that is a different subject altogether (imo) and I for one was dead against their disbandment.

 

The servering of the ties with St Albans City Youth was a bold step to take but maybe now we will start to see some of the benefits, who knows, but at least give it a chance.

 

I could waffle on but some of us have work to do... <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

[AFF]

"Benefits"? "BENEFITS"?

 

What benefits do you imagine, in your wildest dreams, could possibly come from the severing of ties with St Albans City Youth F.C.?

 

Oops. Apologies. I've just thought of one. The pitch will be in better condition as the mid-week Youth side will not be playing on it every second Wednesday.

 

"Benefits".

 

Edit

 

I posted that in haste. Rob, I can only assume that you see the PASE set-up as a replacement for the links with St Albans City Youth Fc. Is that so? A replacement?

[Laz]

Getting back to the departing goals...

 

Will this mean we can widen the playing surface?

[AFF]

Hi Laz.

 

The pitch was reduced in width at the request of Gary Roberts and Steve Cook as they were bringing in players in defence whose pace was suspect.

 

I imagine that Colin Lippiatt will be liaising with the chap who used to drive the red tractor and they may consider widening it for next season.

[The Caretaker]

Still waiting .....whos seen them etc. etc.

 

AFF, the pitch only get used now every second week when one of the two Youth Development teams play there.

 

Does anyone know where the club puts information relating to these boys. Cant see a link on the website, cant see much in the programme, cant see much in the local papers ... need I go on.

 

I am genuinely pleased that the scheme is a last seeming to work but lets not forget that in the 3 years I was associated with the midweek team (and please remember this was for St Albans City, not City Youth) we brought through Craig, Greg, Chris,Matt, Jake, Johny Moore, Jamie Parsons, David Parkinson even Ricky (lets even include Simon)and a few others ...... and as you say Rob, dont even go near the reserves.

[Laz]

On the subject of red tractors, you may be interested to hear of program(me) called "Google Earth". It allows you to browse the planet and zoom on satelette images of any area you choose. If you want to locate the tractor can I suggest zoom on on North Essex.

[Electric ~soul~]

Google Earth is superb. I still go back to San Francisco every day.

[AFF]

Hang on a minute.

 

Will someone please answer one simple question, please?

 

Was the decision to sever the clubs's links with St Albans City Youth F.C. made in order to make the pitch at t'Park available for the two PASE sides to play on it midweek?

[Laz]

Quote:

Electric ~soul~ said:
Google Earth is superb. I still go back to San Francisco every day.

I just had a look at Braintree but the resolution is still to low. There are more and more high-res areas appearing every week.

[Electric ~soul~]

Really? I've stopped looking at the UK to be honest, as it's so poor. St Albans is crap.

 

Saying that, Macclesfield is pretty good (you can see Emma's old house!) and North London is good too.

 

San Francisco is out of this world, though! I don't think the resolution gets any better than that.

[Rob_the_Saint]

I was talking about he benefits of the SACYDS, AFF, not the benefits of severing the ties etc.

 

Anyway, could not the lads currently playing in the London Colney Midweek Yoof go on to join the SACYDS once they leave school and enjoy further education AND expert football coaching from a UEFA grade 'A' coach? Seems like a natural progression to me.

[The Caretaker]

We have 7 or 8 boys from City Youth on the course at the moment.

 

Dont forget this course is for boys who leave school at 16 and is a two year course leading to ..... I have to say since the change from a 3 year course I'm not sure. Is it some form of BTEC qualification. Be nice to know ... I'll ask on or two of the boys tonight at training. The boys who play midweek football at Colney are mainly 18 and most are looking to move on to higher education.

 

Unfortunately most of our boys stay on at school eventually going on to University undermining the myth that all footballers are thick .... <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />