Sunderland's Academy in Focus: Leeds United emerge as new competitor as Phil Smith delivers verdict on the major lessons and road ahead

Sunderland’s Academy has been a cause for concern for supporters for some time, The Echo spoke to staff, players and figures in the game to delve deeper over a series of articles this week. In the fourth and final part, we reflect on what we’ve learned and the road ahead….
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Though it quickly became clear that Paul Reid’s departure was not part of a wider move to alter or downgrade the academy’s Category One status, two challenging years nevertheless left fans fearing the worst.

The Black Cats have insisted that there will be no changes, with CEO Jim Rodwell emphatic when asked about the issue by The Echo earlier this summer.

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“We are absolutely committed to the academy and our category one status,” he said.

“Having a category one academy in League One is difficult but that is what we are committed to.

“Next season we will be a Category One academy, simple as that, and we are committed beyond that as well.

“We know we need to improve, we are absolutely aware of that.

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“We need to address some of the things that went wrong last season.

The Academy of Light.The Academy of Light.
The Academy of Light.

“It is difficult because once we get to the 16 age group, that’s when the City’s and United’s start investing serious money.

“It is difficult to compete but there are things we can do differently.

“It’s going to be interesting to see what the views of the candidates [for Academy Manager] are. We need to have that club vision but I’m interested to see what the candidates’ views are on where we’ve gone wrong and what we need to improve.”

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That the academy maintained its Category One status earlier this year was testament to the fact that despite all the challenges, particularly in the upper age groups, the facilities and quality of coaching on offer remains exceptional.

Sunderland's academy is facing a number of challenges ahead of the club's third season in League OneSunderland's academy is facing a number of challenges ahead of the club's third season in League One
Sunderland's academy is facing a number of challenges ahead of the club's third season in League One

And while the debilitating player sales underline where the academy needs better support, that so many are attracting interest from the top Premier League clubs again underlines the work being done in the younger age groups.

While one generation has been all but lost, there is another pushing through towards the U18 group and its imperative that they, and those that follow, find a different climate when they do.

Much still to be proud of

Champions League winning captain, Premier League winning captain. FWA Player of the Year.

Ex-Sunderland striker Martyn Waghorn of Derby County.Ex-Sunderland striker Martyn Waghorn of Derby County.
Ex-Sunderland striker Martyn Waghorn of Derby County.
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Jordan Henderson’s remarkable rise underlined the qualities and values that so long underpinned the best work in the academy.

Professionalism, dedication, humility.

Henderson, though, is just one example and during lockdown, so many who have graduated from the Academy and gone on to have a career in the game were back [via zoom, of course] to share their experiences with the next generation.

Martyn Waghorn, Michael Bridges, George Honeyman and Blair Adams were among those who checked in to discuss their journey, leaving a gaggle of excited youngsters - and their parents - hanging on their every word as they discussed the highs and lows of their career.

Not only did it highlight the production line that has been so productive over the years, but the point of those calls were to give an insight into the standards that young players must aspire to, the culture and ethos they must adopt, if they are to follow in their footsteps.

Ex-Sunderland captain George Honeyman playing for Hull City.Ex-Sunderland captain George Honeyman playing for Hull City.
Ex-Sunderland captain George Honeyman playing for Hull City.
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Sunderland’s academy may be facing a myriad of challenges, but it remains an attractive destination for youngsters due to its record for producing senior footballers who can forge their way in the game, whether it be on Wearside or elsewhere.

Even as the first team drops away from its local rivals,

That it maintained its status reflected the fact that it still has a staff and a programme that can generate growth and success.

Take, for example, brothers Finn and Milo Davies.

Part of the Sunderland academy set-up at Under-13s and Under-9s respectively, they have a strong footballing history in their family.

Their grandad is Mick Martin, the ex-Newcastle United and Republic of Ireland captain, but that history hasn't clouded their view of the Academy of Light.

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"Newcastle were interested in Milo, but what we'd seen at Newcastle and Sunderland with Finn swayed our decision," said dad Jamie.

"He had 38 weeks at Newcastle and we had to drag him to training at times.

"The big difference here is the culture. All coaches are qualified, it's all going to be good coaching wherever you are, but the culture was the big thing for us. The kids at Sunderland are allowed to enjoy themselves, it's not just about fitting in and conforming. They have fun. It's about enjoyment, as well as great coaching.

"The scouts were really amazing, approachable, personable. It started from there.

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"Even during lockdown, the Zoom calls that they've been doing with the lads and getting the likes of Michael Bridges and George Honeyman on with them has been great."

Those two high-profile names are part of a huge list of players who have graduated from the Academy of Light, but the current situation has not gone unnoticed even towards the lower age groups.

The likes of Manchester United and Liverpool are still paying close attention and Sunderland's reputation for developing talent remains strong, even if the future - and the need for investment - is creating some concern.

"Myself and Maeve, football isn't the be all and end all," added Jamie. "We do hear people saying 'I'm going to take my son to Newcastle or Middlesbrough' but our lads are enjoying it and getting great coaching.

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"Some parents are concerned and it is a shame because it is an incredible set-up at Sunderland. They are clearly still doing a lot right."

Making the case for Category One

It also underlines what Category One status is absolutely critical in the long-term for the Black Cats.

Many clubs, perhaps understandably, have opted to turn away from the EPPP system and have radically overhauled their systems.

Tired of losing their best young players to big clubs for a pittance, they have decided that it is ultimately not worth the outlay.

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As previously mentioned, the most high profile (and successful) example is Brentford.

The Bees, though, were operating with some of the Premier League's biggest clubs on their doorstep.

Sunderland face competition from Newcastle United and Middlesbrough but they maintain a huge catchment area full of talent.

Even as concerns grow over the hierarchy's commitment and the steady drain of players in the upper age groups continue, the regularity with which excellent players are being produced shows the value it should be held in.

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An academy source told The Echo: "We’ve always produced excellent players, and we still are.

"The academy is still successful because of the history, because of certain staff and the identity we strive to have as a football club.

"There still needs to be work done with the younger age groups as it’s not up to the standard where it should be. The games programme has to be built upon, and stretching players to make them aware of how hard you’ve got to work in order to be successful.

“I’ve been in and around the academy for a long time now and I know how good the reputation has been, but it has dwindled.

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“We’ve got some great coaches who are willing to roll their sleeves up and work hard to get results and improve players.

“We are going to take some hits along the way but we need to keep looking long term."

For that long term picture, Category One status is essential.

It protects compensation, it protects the club's status in the region and above all, it gives staff the chance to implement the programmes they know can work with the right time and investment.

Competitors emerging right on Sunderland’s door step

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The issue for Sunderland is that as long as the current situation continues, the challenges are only going to grow.

Competition for players is only growing.

Both Burnley and Crystal Palace were recently awarded Category One status, alongside Leeds United.

The latter is of particular interest to the Black Cats because it is an example of a new and fierce competitor on their doorstep.

One source told The Echo that the investment in youth at Leeds is making their academy an increasingly attractive proposition for young players.

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Not only that, but they have also demonstrated an exciting programme since Marcelo Bielsa took charge, with youngsters regularly joining his training sessions.

U23 boss Carlos Corberan (who has recently left to take up the post of Head Coach at Huddersfield Town), also held a spot in Bielsa's staff.

This link between the U23 and senior team underlined the commitment that will appeal to youngsters.

The investment from these clubs is only going to raise the standard of the leagues in which Sunderland are already struggling to compete.

Final thoughts

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Director Neil Fox recently told supporters that the academy status has been reviewed and that they would stick to Category One, even if dropping to Category Two would result in the upper age groups being more competitive on the pitch.

Sunderland, inevitably as a League One club, will almost certainly have the lowest Category One budget moving forward into the new campaign and beyond.

Their recent run of results, however, is surely not sustainable if it wishes to preserve the status that is so important for the institution's future.

It means that there simply must be a will to retain players as the push into the U18 set-up (even if we acknowledge that some moving on is perhaps an inevitability).

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That will require investment but more importantly, a cohesive plan that convinces players that even if greater riches are on the table elsewhere, their best chance in the game is at Sunderland.

This means trusting staff and getting the appointment of Academy Manager absolutely right.

It also means an imaginative and successful approach to recruiting into the U18 and U23 sides, as it is clear that without that, they have little chance of convincing their best products to stay.

They will keep producing them, as they always have done, as long as the will to protect the work that goes on is there.

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The academy rightly remains a source of pride in both the club and the city, but it has never been in need of more support and attention.

Sunderland’s continued search for stability and identity at first-team level has a major impact below, too, and that can never be far away from the conversation when we ponder the road ahead.

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