Is Cat 1 Status at risk?

[paddy20]

Just wondering that now JM is back in charge whether cutting cloth will threaten out Cat 1 status for the academy. Not sure if that was dependent on new training ground but have heard that planning permission has been turned down for the Bearwood site. Also understand that a middle eastern gentleman visited it recently. All this is third hand so not sure how accurate it is

[Wycombe Royal]

The new training facility planning application has not been rejected yet but there are a lot of hurdles to overcome and they are having to do an Environmental Impact Assessment. There are a lot of groups concerned with the listed buildings, the removal of trees, wildlife, the fact that it is a level 1 flood plain, the location of any new buildings, etc...

[maffff]

Just wondering that now JM is back in charge whether cutting cloth will threaten out Cat 1 status for the academy. Not sure if that was dependent on new training ground but have heard that planning permission has been turned down for the Bearwood site. Also understand that a middle eastern gentleman visited it recently. All this is third hand so not sure how accurate it is

We've had to tweak the plans a couple of times already, hardly surprising and pretty much usual.

In the period we're in where we are talking to and pro-actively courting prospective owners it wouldn't be surprising at all if we have people in seeing the facilities.

But no, Cat 1 is at the forefront of plans ongoing - JM is preserving it.

[paddy20]

Just wondering that now JM is back in charge whether cutting cloth will threaten out Cat 1 status for the academy. Not sure if that was dependent on new training ground but have heard that planning permission has been turned down for the Bearwood site. Also understand that a middle eastern gentleman visited it recently. All this is third hand so not sure how accurate it is

We've had to tweak the plans a couple of times already, hardly surprising and pretty much usual.

In the period we're in where we are talking to and pro-actively courting prospective owners it wouldn't be surprising at all if we have people in seeing the facilities.

But no, Cat 1 is at the forefront of plans ongoing - JM is preserving it.

Great news. Not many outside the prem. have this. My nephew has recently been scouted by Arsenal and has been chosen for their elite squad. As he played in Woodley shame he wasn't spotted. I know I'm probably biased but the scout couldn't believe he hadn't been picked up locally and watching him I can't believe how good he is. Hope we have enough on the ground to spot our local talent as we have missed some in the past I think.

[G'La]

Just wondering that now JM is back in charge whether cutting cloth will threaten out Cat 1 status for the academy. Not sure if that was dependent on new training ground but have heard that planning permission has been turned down for the Bearwood site. Also understand that a middle eastern gentleman visited it recently. All this is third hand so not sure how accurate it is

We've had to tweak the plans a couple of times already, hardly surprising and pretty much usual.

In the period we're in where we are talking to and pro-actively courting prospective owners it wouldn't be surprising at all if we have people in seeing the facilities.

But no, Cat 1 is at the forefront of plans ongoing - JM is preserving it.

I cant see the planning application on Wokingham BC website.

[Wycombe Royal]

Just wondering that now JM is back in charge whether cutting cloth will threaten out Cat 1 status for the academy. Not sure if that was dependent on new training ground but have heard that planning permission has been turned down for the Bearwood site. Also understand that a middle eastern gentleman visited it recently. All this is third hand so not sure how accurate it is

We've had to tweak the plans a couple of times already, hardly surprising and pretty much usual.

In the period we're in where we are talking to and pro-actively courting prospective owners it wouldn't be surprising at all if we have people in seeing the facilities.

But no, Cat 1 is at the forefront of plans ongoing - JM is preserving it.

I cant see the planning application on Wokingham BC website.

I don't think official planning application has been submitted but they have submitted and application for screening and scoping opinion which has resulted in the being told they need to do and Environmental Impact Assessment.

Application for Screening and Scoping Opinion - SO/2013/2484

[From Despair To Where?]

Just wondering that now JM is back in charge whether cutting cloth will threaten out Cat 1 status for the academy. Not sure if that was dependent on new training ground but have heard that planning permission has been turned down for the Bearwood site. Also understand that a middle eastern gentleman visited it recently. All this is third hand so not sure how accurate it is

We've had to tweak the plans a couple of times already, hardly surprising and pretty much usual.

In the period we're in where we are talking to and pro-actively courting prospective owners it wouldn't be surprising at all if we have people in seeing the facilities.

But no, Cat 1 is at the forefront of plans ongoing - JM is preserving it.

IMO, this is absolutely crucial and any owner would be mad not to ring fence funds to ensure Cat1 happens.

[ZacNaloen]

Just wondering that now JM is back in charge whether cutting cloth will threaten out Cat 1 status for the academy. Not sure if that was dependent on new training ground but have heard that planning permission has been turned down for the Bearwood site. Also understand that a middle eastern gentleman visited it recently. All this is third hand so not sure how accurate it is

We've had to tweak the plans a couple of times already, hardly surprising and pretty much usual.

In the period we're in where we are talking to and pro-actively courting prospective owners it wouldn't be surprising at all if we have people in seeing the facilities.

But no, Cat 1 is at the forefront of plans ongoing - JM is preserving it.

Great news. Not many outside the prem. have this. My nephew has recently been scouted by Arsenal and has been chosen for their elite squad. As he played in Woodley shame he wasn't spotted. I know I'm probably biased but the scout couldn't believe he hadn't been picked up locally and watching him I can't believe how good he is. Hope we have enough on the ground to spot our local talent as we have missed some in the past I think.

There are still a lot of clubs our scouts don't watch. They don't seem to be linked with everyone in the area yet. he may have been picked up if he'd gone along to the try outs that they do at the club. The open doors ones they do during school holidays etc.

[Wimb]

Of course it's at risk, though probably not this season or next...

If the club isn't making enough money to run it, it will go, we can't magic the £2.5m out of nowhere.

I appreciate SJM's sentiments about protecting it but unless a new buyer is found it'll certainly be under thread in the medium term after the parachute payments stop.

[Royal Biscuitman]

My mates 7 year old plays as a defender and has been watched by scouts from Reading, Fulham and Palace. The Reading scout asked his Dad to let him know before agreeing anything with other clubs, Also gave some good advice - If you want to shine as a defender, play for one of the poorer sides in the league and not the top sides.... Kind of makes sense, same for goalkeepers - A scout isn't going to have much to go on if your team are so good that the opposition can only get one or two shots in on target.

[Green]

Good use of "cutting cloth" in the and by the OP.

[paddy20]

My mates 7 year old plays as a defender and has been watched by scouts from Reading, Fulham and Palace. The Reading scout asked his Dad to let him know before agreeing anything with other clubs, Also gave some good advice - If you want to shine as a defender, play for one of the poorer sides in the league and not the top sides.... Kind of makes sense, same for goalkeepers - A scout isn't going to have much to go on if your team are so good that the opposition can only get one or two shots in on target.

Makes sense. I have another nephew also that is younger (10) and he's in the Arsenal development squad. They both got picked up going to one of the football schools who run during school breaks. I'm sure some of the fans with a lot of knowledge would be willing to watch the local games if there could be some sort of connection with Reading FC , even if it were as simple as a resumee or feedback form. My mate is a scout for Luton and he watches some of the semi pro games like Maidenhead and Basingstoke.

[ZacNaloen]

my nephew (8) plays for Barton as a goal keeper, he got picked to go along to training at the Dome. hopefully he learns good stuff there. Dunno if it's try outs or not, but he loves Reading FC so he's made up.

[Tilehurstsouthbank]

Of course it's at risk, though probably not this season or next...

If the club isn't making enough money to run it, it will go, we can't magic the £2.5m out of nowhere.

I appreciate SJM's sentiments about protecting it but unless a new buyer is found it'll certainly be under thread in the medium term after the parachute payments stop.

Not sure about that Wimb. If we don't find a new owner, we'll easily make that figure each season by selling what the Academy produces.

[Wimb]

Of course it's at risk, though probably not this season or next...

If the club isn't making enough money to run it, it will go, we can't magic the £2.5m out of nowhere.

I appreciate SJM's sentiments about protecting it but unless a new buyer is found it'll certainly be under thread in the medium term after the parachute payments stop.

Not sure about that Wimb. If we don't find a new owner, we'll easily make that figure each season by selling what the Academy produces.

I'd doubt the 'easily' bit about that. Besides it only takes 1 season of it dropping down to a Cat 2 and suddenly our best can be cherry picked

[RoyalBlue]

My mates 7 year old plays as a defender and has been watched by scouts from Reading, Fulham and Palace. The Reading scout asked his Dad to let him know before agreeing anything with other clubs, Also gave some good advice - If you want to shine as a defender, play for one of the poorer sides in the league and not the top sides.... Kind of makes sense, same for goalkeepers - A scout isn't going to have much to go on if your team are so good that the opposition can only get one or two shots in on target.

Definitely worked for my daughter, although there were times when playing an absolute blinder and still losing 12-1 or more could be a bit demoralising (particularly if the winners happened to be called QPR)!

Still wasn't spotted by scouts though, but was snapped up the moment we decided it was time for her to trial for one of the big clubs - they couldn't believe that she had managed to escape under their radar for so long. Goes to show, there is unspotted talent out there and that youngsters should never give up on the dream.

My son's development was also helped by playing in goal for one of the poorer teams and, I believe, led to him playing as a senior at a much higher level than he would otherwise have done.

[Green]

Not sure your daughters experience, in and of itself, really demonstrates the breadth of talent apparently not getting picked up.

Pleased its worked out for her though.

[RFCUK]

I don't have any kids, but I was one, and I wasn't very good at football and became a referee.

A couple of weekends ago I refereed the Premier League Academy Futsal Finals for the U10s and U11s and those kids are absolutely amazing.

Chelsea, Arsenal, Man City, Liverpool, Everton Blackburn, West Brom, Fulham, Wolves, Aston Villa and Middlesbrough.

Both finals were Arsenal 2 - 1 Chelsea. Huge support from parents and enthralling games to watch and be apart of.

I know Reading were part of the qualifiers last year but failed to make it to the finals.

Cat 1 Academies are serious development tools and it's hard to imagine how perhaps only one out of each year group goes on to be a professional footballer.

[maffff]

I'd doubt the 'easily' bit about that. Besides it only takes 1 season of it dropping down to a Cat 2 and suddenly our best can be cherry picked

If that happened then we'd have to try to commit the more talented scholars to two / three year contracts with a years pro terms at the end..

[SPARTA]

Of course it's at risk, though probably not this season or next...

If the club isn't making enough money to run it, it will go, we can't magic the £2.5m out of nowhere.

I appreciate SJM's sentiments about protecting it but unless a new buyer is found it'll certainly be under thread in the medium term after the parachute payments stop.

Not sure about that Wimb. If we don't find a new owner, we'll easily make that figure each season by selling what the Academy produces.

I'd doubt the 'easily' bit about that. Besides it only takes 1 season of it dropping down to a Cat 2 and suddenly our best can be cherry picked

Don't forget the academy was costing us x amount a year before we upgraded to Cat 1. There was already a substantial annual cost. The chances are our annual black hole would just be a little bit bigger and we'd look to flog two decent players a summer to fill the void - but... fingers crossed this take-over will go through and that wont be necessary.