@eddieo57 They have just won the Lancashire league beating Salford's Academy in the crunch game so must be some prospects there. I agree not up to first team yet although D Hulme & E Hughes played for Widnes in their teens. Perhaps we could after school recruit them into a Widnes Vikings Academy team although I appreciate there would be costs in that. Surely that has to happen though?
I would say that people qouting examples of the A Team system from 30 years ago has no relevance to the Academy system in this country in the modern era.
Any top prospect from this town will end up at Wigan, Saints or Warrington and who can blame them?
Top coaching and development, with pathway systems, better opportunities to learn skills from top platers and the offer of more cash, it's a no trainer.
Nobody would have a problem with young players going to super league clubs if given the opportunity, saying that we do need some sort of academy and this is a step in the right direction. It’s a positive development for the club