David Beckham, Steven Gerrard & Michael Owen formed part of the so-called Golden Generation of home-grown footballers that many supporters believed made England a serious contender in World Cup and European Championship finals. Pundits and the press said the time had come for England to once again make their mark on the international stage.
The Winds of Change
The fact that the senior England team has failed to win a major trophy in over 40 years is unfathomable to many supporters considering the ability of players produced. The lack of strength in depth was highlighted by a failure to qualify for Euro 2008 and a woeful performance at the World Cup 2010.
Upon returning from South Africa, the FA began a “root and branch” analysis of the way coaching is carried out at all levels of the game, with a major emphasis on ensuring there is a consistent approach towards teaching technique and skill at all levels. The resulting document is an almost biblical tome called The Young Player Development Review, which is summarised in a 25 point plan.
The FA has often been criticised for being too bureaucratic, slow to change and out of touch with the world of football by the press and pundits alike. However, there is finally scope for optimism with a blueprint designed to ensure the future quality of coaching given to children aged from 5 to 16. A Coaching Academy is being built and a licensing scheme, similar to the UEFA qualifications needed to manage top level football clubs, will ensure youngsters coming into the game are given age-appropriate training. Bringing the whole project together is no mean feat, but the creation of St George’s Park, otherwise known as the National Football Academy in Derbyshire, will provide everything required to realize this daring strategy.
In February 2011, The ex-England International centre-half Gareth Southgate was appointed Head of Elite Development. Southgate will be working in tandem with Sir Trevor Brooking, the FA Director of Football Development, to oversee the administration of the project, in a role specially created to increase the quality of young players.
Too Much Too Young?
This agenda, however, is not without its critics. Previously, the game could not be played competitively, i.e. in a league, until children reached 9 years of age. The new guidelines have raised this level to age 12 with an emphasis on skills, technique and tactics without the pressure of competition.
There is a concern, in some quarters, that by not competing in a structured league, children will get bored of developing technique and learning how to play in different positions. The detractors believe the money spent in coaching them will have been wasted, as they will get bored and drop out of formal coaching. If countries such as Holland, Spain, France and Brazil can develop young, skilful players without making the process boring, it should not be difficult to implement in England
Back in the late 1960s Rinus Michels, the coach of Ajax Amsterdam, developed a system of play which became known as “total football”. Michels instilled an attack-minded philosophy with all 10 outfield players working together as a complete unit. Each player and position being interchangeable; most players could competently play in two or three positions and would automatically take the place of a teammate who was moving out of position by attacking, or supporting an attack. A fast pace and fluid movement was essential and it is a trademark of Dutch football to this day.
For smaller clubs, player development is all about survival. They need to be able to attract and retain young talent. The player will eventually be sold and the club will receive a transfer fee. There may be extra income in the future, depending on criteria being met – such as player reaches 50 appearances in the Premier League, or gets promoted with their new club, or becomes a full international.
Elite Development
The lack of technical ability and quality in our home grown players has been discussed to the point of boredom. Anyone who watches Premier League football regularly will hear commentators waxing lyrical about the silky touches of Robin van Persie, or Rafael Van der Vaart. Elite clubs have produced players with exceptional ability in recent times. Joe Hart, Jack Wilshere, Martin Kelly and Andy Carroll are all on the fringe of the senior England squad. All have come through the ranks by playing in the development squads (u17s, u19s & u21 level) and ply their trade regularly in the Premier League and European club competitions.
This new initiative is for the greater good of English football. It is possible some smaller clubs may be forced into semi-professionalism, or in some cases close altogether. Nobody wants clubs to close; they all perform a vital role in their local community. Just because they do not have the resources of their larger competitors, does not mean they are any less important.
Knowing how much these football clubs mean to their supporters, it is almost unthinkable that some of them may go out of business. However, the sport is evolving and must continue to grow. Progression is bound to have a detrimental effect in some aspects of the game. Without a successful International team that can compete, our national game will continue to stagnate. There must be a time when quality must be promoted over quantity, perhaps that time is about to come.
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