Our Academy... What is the point?

If I heard correctly (slim chance, I know) we (the Academy) were mentioned as producing good players, might have been goalkeepers, during the live commentary last Friday on BBC Scotland in the Inverness CT v Kilmarnock game.
We have produced a sizeable number of keepers over the last 20 years. Zach Hemmings and Sol Brynn are both playing regularly in Scotland, but we've also had Ainsley Pears, Connor Ripley, Jason Steele. So that's 5 GKs in the last 10 years. Even before that we had Brad Jones and Ross Turnbull....and David Knight and Sam Russell both had lower league careers before those players. So 9 GKs of professional quality in about 20 years. I doubt many could compare to that.
 
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We have produced a sizeable number of keepers over the last 20 years. Zach Hemmings and Sol Brynn are both playing regularly in Scotland, but we've also had Ainsley Pears, Connor Ripley, Jason Steele. So that's 5 GKs in the last 10 years. Even before that we had Brad Jones and Ross Turnbull and David Knight and Sam Russell both had lower league careers before those players. So 9 GKs of professional quality in about 20 years. I doubt many could compare to that.
Good post, I didnt realsie that many that until your post
 
We have produced a sizeable number of keepers over the last 20 years. Zach Hemmings and Sol Brynn are both playing regularly in Scotland, but we've also had Ainsley Pears, Connor Ripley, Jason Steele. So that's 5 GKs in the last 10 years. Even before that we had Brad Jones and Ross Turnbull....and David Knight and Sam Russell both had lower league careers before those players. So 9 GKs of professional quality in about 20 years. I doubt many could compare to that.
You could go back slightly further and add Ben Roberts and Andy Collett to that list. 11 goalkeepers of professional quality in 25(ish) years is very impressive stuff and speaks well of the coaches.
 
Middlesbrough, in ninth, are the only side in the top 10 from outside of the Premier League
That is pretty amazing, and I get the feeling we are about to get another golden generation. Some real talents in the U23s and U18s right now. Coburn, Kavanagh and Finch all look top drawer talent. Add to that Stott, Gibson, Kokolo, Gitau, Brynn, Willis. Several of these could have very decent careers.
 
We have produced a sizeable number of keepers over the last 20 years. Zach Hemmings and Sol Brynn are both playing regularly in Scotland, but we've also had Ainsley Pears, Connor Ripley, Jason Steele. So that's 5 GKs in the last 10 years. Even before that we had Brad Jones and Ross Turnbull....and David Knight and Sam Russell both had lower league careers before those players. So 9 GKs of professional quality in about 20 years. I doubt many could compare to that.
Aye, they get a lot of practice with our defence
 
I think the academy system struggles as we don’t have a reserve league playing with real made it.

how many under 23 teams have ever got to the final of the Papa John final? None.

If you scrapped the under 23 with reserve football it would see a surge in talent.
 
I think the academy system struggles as we don’t have a reserve league playing with real made it.

how many under 23 teams have ever got to the final of the Papa John final? None.

If you scrapped the under 23 with reserve football it would see a surge in talent.
100%
 
Agree Newy.
The under 23`s system doesnt give boys the regular opportunity to play against "men".
Its a bit of a protective bubble.
I thought they allowed 2 or 3 over age players in U23 football?

When U23 was started to replace the reserve leagues, what was the rationale?
 
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