Re: Calum Scanlon sends message to Blues as he confirms Liverpool move
El MayorDirty BertieEl MayoryeehawI don't think it's contradictory.
The academy is somewhat successful at the moment, especially compared with other clubs at our level. But they want to look at ways of integrating the youth into the first team more consistently.
They have identified the issue - there is too much of a gap between the U23s and first team - and they have offered a solution - B and C teams.
But here’s the problem.
To have a category one academy, you’re not allowed to pull out of the u23 and u18 leagues to have b and c teams. There are restrictions on what you can do if you run a category two academy also.
So it is absolutely contradictory based on the information released.
It's not contradictory as there is, at this stage, an application to be approved for Category 1 status.
However, until that application is approved the Club is not committed to progressing with the higher status and increased financial commitment required.
As I understand it the Club is still to decide between an Academy (Cat 1) and the B & C team model both from a financial and football standpoint.
So in other words - they’ve not committed to keeping the academy at all, they’ve just kicked the decision into the long grass for now. Thanks for clearing that up.
The only time limit on the decision is if approval for Cat 1 status might be withdrawn.
Plus, as far as I am aware, the idea of scrapping rather than restructuring the Academy is not at the head of the list of options.