I just had a quick look on wiki (I know it's not the most reliable source) and it also says he left at 14. So I'm thinking it's most likely correct. And in that case I also doubt he'll count as being trained at our academy.
Richard Stevens - Coventry City Football Club Academy Manager has been with the Academy for the last 12 years, arriving at the same time as Gregor Rioch. In the last 10 years there have been over 50 1st team debuts from home grown players.
Seriously impressive stats, we really do owe this man a great deal!!!
Great post. There's so much wrong with Coventry City Football Club off the pitch but the Academy has defied this entirely and continues to be something to be proud of.
One of the few positives to come out of our situation, is that for the last 10 years our academy has produced fantastic talents, player after player and they know at CCFC that they're going to get a chance in the first team.
I don't know the set up at the Academy that well, but well done to everyone involved at the Academy, they're doing a brilliant job.
Think funding comes from a few directions. All of the U17/18 scholars are also in education at the academy and will bring in a few grand (a few bags!) each. Could be up to 4k each.
I also believe that there is funding (half?...half a mil (possibly.. might have heard more) from the EFL) that comes as part of the Cat 2 status that the academy has... (hence why having that status is important).
The academy also has sponsors. I believe that Richard Overson has sponsored/injected money.
Would also guess that the academy falls under the whole business plan for the club. So again, all those people that have chosen to not attend home games this season to "starve SISU out" are just playing roulette with the funding for the academy too.
Someone at Sisu needs to package that up in a nice presentation to send out to all the Middle eastern royal families, Chinese Businessmen and Russian oligarchs. sets us out from most other poorly run languishing sleeping giants
I believe he did say he would do if he took over. However, SISU were going to shut it down because it was a cost with little benefit. Then Wilson got sold and they seemed to see it's potential.
I believe he did say he would do if he took over. However, SISU were going to shut it down because it was a cost with little benefit. Then Wilson got sold and they seemed to see it's potential.
Really proud of our academy and what it is acheiving.
Also shows what a mess the PL is in terms of buying in players from abroad vs giving their own academy products a chance when 3 players is enough to get us into the top 20!
Completely agree with this - just watched a few old episodes of The Big Match from the 70's - including Arsenal introducing Liam Brady, David O'Leary and Frank Stapleton into their team (with several other youngsters), and wonder if they'd get a chance in today's overblown Premiership?
Completely agree with this - just watched a few old episodes of The Big Match from the 70's - including Arsenal introducing Liam Brady, David O'Leary and Frank Stapleton into their team (with several other youngsters), and wonder if they'd get a chance in today's overblown Premiership?
I'd be interested to see a similar table for the Championship. I'd bet there's loads of players there churned out from premier league academies in the 21-24 age bracket who've never got a look in at their clubs and end up released or getting flogged to a Derby, Leeds, Middlesborough for a few million based on pedigree. Would be interesting to see for parents and young players and I'm sure show some clubs and greedy agents in a bad light.