I think the decision is wrong, but I also think the communication over this has been poor. Why isn’t there a comment from our CEO or Board Members? Surely they could add their comments to the statement or even hold a virtual fans forum over the decision. I think the decision is too big to just have a statement on the website. Also, on the communication point why did Finney tell BBC Merseyside we weren’t applying for SL? Why didn’t he tell us through the club first?
What makes you think that the statements put on the club's website re the Academy and the application for the SL place did not reflect the views of the Board? Not sure what a fans forum would have achieved. I think the club statement was published on the web site the day after the Radio Merseyside interview and I recollect that there was advance notice of the interview on here.
Re Sheens, there was a lot of speculation on here about the reasons for Sheens leaving. Perhaps the fact that there has been no comment from Sheens suggests that both parties agreed not to make further comment.
I can't see how you can criticise the club about communications when most clubs update their fans via the club web site.
Now the academy is going our fulltime staff must be down to single figures, do we need a full time CEO?
Yes, business carries on whether the team is at the ground or not.
See that Wire are to strengthen ties with local amateur clubs.
That should be our line too, in lieu of an Academy! Anyone playing RL in Widnes should feel part of our club.
The local amateur coaches should be encouraged to pass on the names of young players who show promise so Widnes can interact with them ie invite them to train with the squad
Absolutely! I get the impression that somehow the club pushed the amateur game away over the years rather than fostering it. I maybe totally mistaken, I hope so!
Widnes do not involve any local coaches / players from the amateur scene, it’s common knowledge among the amateur game, hence the coach being told who he has to have on his staff, it’s a closed shop. I know of experienced coaches including ones who are level 3 with pro experience offering their services voluntary and the club isn’t interested.
Not a dig as they must not want to go down that route, not saying there is a Shaun Wane in our town but he started at Wigan on scholarship / academy on peanuts, can’t buy passion for your hometown club in my opinion.
Was that always the case or just the view adopted by our past managers?
Wasn’t Dave Rolt head scout for years ? I think he had / has pretty close ties with the junior and local amateur clubs ? Maybe that’s what’s needed now - a good (amateur) scouting system ?
Thats my point RV. I would be astonished if our present Board were anti- amateurs. I know when SOC took over he resisted outside involvement but that was then.
Talking to young Mr Rolt a couple of years back I’m sure he mentioned that Roger Harrison was President of the Widnes junior (U-11’s) team - I think you are right Sandgroper in that the club, by and large, is aligned to the junior / amateur game
I should have added that Dave and I played in the same St Bede’s and Wdnes U-11 teams coached by Roger about a million years ago but hadn’t see each other for years as I live ‘darn sarf’
Well RV we all have our cross to bear! With the general cuts from Sky- SL -CHampiinship - Academy many clubs will have to look harder and maybe closer to home.
My logic would be to look for a 'Fortress Widnes'if you like 'us against the rest'. It all hinges on the community club base but doesn't need masses of money.
Get the council and local clubs/pubs involved too. I can remember when, as a council employee, subs to the Widnes lottery (iirc) were taken out of my salary at source. Graeme West sat in our canteen chatting and signing people up! So it can be done!!
Absolutely! I get the impression that somehow the club pushed the amateur game away over the years rather than fostering it. I maybe totally mistaken, I hope so!
Tbh I don’t see why clubs need academies anyway, has player development improved since the inception of academies in the 90s? No. Why can’t players at 16 sign apprenticeship forms at 16, only say 4 or 5 of the most talented players then allow them to train with first team and maybe have a amateur A team, competing in the conference?
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There has to be a way, there was before SL! The old A Teams were development units with old stagers playing alongside youngsters, on the field coaching and looking after the youngsters.
It was a great way to allow older players to put a bit back into the game and enjoy it.