[OldburyWBA]

I wonder if it will be televised, hope so.

Usually on Eurosport I think

[OldburyWBA]

https://www.wba.co.uk/news/2019/june/duo-start-in-toulon-tournament-opener/

Field played full game, Edwards played 75 mins. Forgot it was on to be honest so no idea how either played.

Next game is tomorrow but team is usually rotated if I remember from other years.

[Albionic]

England 1 - Japan 2, dour uninspiring performance by all accounts.

[Hunnington Baggie]

Dara O’Shea about to play for Ireland against China. also playing is former youth player Zach Elbouzedi.

[Hunnington Baggie]

U-23’s Pre season game against Leamington confirmed for the 27th July at 3:00pm

[Mister AT]

Bit of a blow for the baggies

Percy reporting that Mark Harrison is leaving us after 13 years to join Villa in a similar role.


Has played a huge part in building our academy. I did hear a whisper that he has had a falling out with Jenkins but not sure on how much truth there is with that.

[alex1]

That is an enormous blow if Harrison is leaving to become head of Villa Academy. The Academy is one of the great success stories at the club, producing more England iinternationals than Man U and L'pool. If that means less quality players being produced within the club, that makes us even more dependant on what we can find in the transfer market, with reduced funds available.
The club must try to find the best possible replacement for Harrison. This is an important position. 

[royhan]

Another blow to the Academy - Sky Sports Is reporting that Barcelona are interested in signing talented 15 year old striker Louie Barry who has been at the club since he was six. Bloody daylight robbery!

[alex1]

Another blow to the Academy - Sky Sports Is reporting that Barcelona are interested in signing talented 15 year old striker Louie Barry who has been at the club since he was six. Bloody daylight robbery!

Whilst you can see the attraction of Barca for a young kid, his parents ought to be thinking about what taking him away from his school might do to his overall  education.

[AlbionFan]

As I said in another thread, there is a possibility we could loose some of our better younger players to Vile if Harrison goes there

[darbolina]

To be honest, our academy is great but we've not had a structure which has enabled us to get the best out of it (financially by selling on talent or by fast tracking into the first team). It's too simple to say we've had Pulis who didn't trust kids but instead, the way our club has been run for 10 years on a very short term basis has nullified any positive effects the academy could've had.

You use it or loose it!

[baggiejohn]

As I said in another thread, there is a possibility we could loose some of our better younger players to Vile if Harrison goes there

Have to say, I doubt that for two reasons:

He is almost certain to have a clause in his contract where he is prohibited to poach any of our players or disclose any of our plans for a period of time.

As GM, Mark Harrison would have a strategic position within the academy & it's unlikely that any of the scholars would have any direct contact with him.

I believe Villa want him for his expertise in developing their academy.

[AlbionFan]

Have to say, I doubt that for two reasons:

He is almost certain to have a clause in his contract where he is prohibited to poach any of our players or disclose any of our plans for a period of time.

As GM, Mark Harrison would have a strategic position within the academy & it's unlikely that any of the scholars would have any direct contact with him.

I believe Villa want him for his expertise in developing their academy.

I do hope you are right baggiejohn, but in my experience contract clauses like those you refer to are not always adhered to, ways can be found round them

[Mister AT]

Howkins has joined Newport county.

[paulosull]

Jenkins cutting cost no doubt, haven't got a first team coach so why bother with academy manager. Best crop of youngsters coming through since 75 and clowns in charge are doing their best to f it up. Lai and Jenkins do one.

[Adder]

Disappointing news re Harrison. He's always sounded like someone who is dedicated and knows what they are doing in any stuff I've read about him.

[costa blanca baggie]

Whilst you can see the attraction of Barca for a young kid, his parents ought to be thinking about what taking him away from his school might do to his overall  education.

I should imagine an education would take second place to a career in football. Especially when it’s with one of the worlds top clubs. He can always catch up on algebra at a later date. 

[AlbionFan]

I should imagine an education would take second place to a career in football. Especially when it’s with one of the worlds top clubs. He can always catch up on algebra at a later date. 

I would suggest he will probably receive as good as if not better education in Spain, whilst becoming bilingual

[Blandy]

Have to say, I doubt that for two reasons:

He is almost certain to have a clause in his contract where he is prohibited to poach any of our players or disclose any of our plans for a period of time.

As GM, Mark Harrison would have a strategic position within the academy & it's unlikely that any of the scholars would have any direct contact with him.

I believe Villa want him for his expertise in developing their academy.

No idea about the contract clause thing, but take it from me, Mark Harrison knows every academy player from U9 to U23. Every single one.

[costa blanca baggie]

I would suggest he will probably receive as good as if not better education in Spain, whilst becoming bilingual

He’ll have to learn Catalan then. Which will come in useful in Barcelona and Mallorca. 

[liverbaggie]

How good is this kid of ours?
Does Bilic have a track record of bringing young lads through to the first team?
How old is the kid,16?
Is he as good as Trevor Francis or Rooney at 16?
Surely Bilic would want to see all our players before letting him go and we wouldn't be so stupid to let him go before appointing a new HC would we?
If he is good enough play him,keep him in the first team squad it'd be great to see him succeed with us.

[MarkW]

How good is this kid of ours?
Does Bilic have a track record of bringing young lads through to the first team?
How old is the kid,16?
Is he as good as Trevor Francis or Rooney at 16?
Surely Bilic would want to see all our players before letting him go and we wouldn't be so stupid to let him go before appointing a new HC would we?
If he is good enough play him,keep him in the first team squad it'd be great to see him succeed with us.

Think he's 15, hence why we can't sign him to a contract. It's not about us "letting him go", it's about us being unable to stop him if he wanted to move.

[AlbionFan]

He’ll have to learn Catalan then. Which will come in useful in Barcelona and Mallorca. 

He could end up being trilingual then, as most people in Barcelona are bilingual speaking Catalan and Spanish 

[Mister AT]

How good is this kid of ours?
Does Bilic have a track record of bringing young lads through to the first team?
How old is the kid,16?
Is he as good as Trevor Francis or Rooney at 16?
Surely Bilic would want to see all our players before letting him go and we wouldn't be so stupid to let him go before appointing a new HC would we?
If he is good enough play him,keep him in the first team squad it'd be great to see him succeed with us.

He's 15.
The one good factor is he's been at us from a very young age and is meant to be a big baggies fan, the downside is its arguably one of the biggest clubs in the world wanting him and there isn't really too much we can do about it.

[Atomic]

He's 15.
The one good factor is he's been at us from a very young age and is meant to be a big baggies fan, the downside is its arguably one of the biggest clubs in the world wanting him and there isn't really too much we can do about it.

It's the biggest attraction in the world surely? Put yourself in Barry's shoes. Personally as an Albion fan I'd turn down the Liverpool's and Manchester's but Barcelona? To learn off Lionel Messi or Jake Livermore? Sometimes the opportunity is just impossible to refuse.