...but it is a bit like fishing - you cast your net..... or (more accurately in this case) you make the fish come into your swim...
Any team could have produced Rooney - he is (unfortuately) just that good - he would have made it if discovered at Preston or Tranmere rather than Everton - these players are the 'gold nuggets' occasionally unearthed - and somewhat 'break the pattern'
Looking backwards - I think that its is clear that our 'previous' academy was as good as any - for its purpose and budget
Looking forwards - you will see that the new man in charge talks a lot about being the 'place people want to come' - at first glance these might seem to be 'obvious' words to say - but throughout life parents make decisions on where to steer their kids - from pre-school to University based on reputation / resluts etc.
In a world where so many kids want to become footballers - If CITY become the place renowned to provide most success - and provide other support (money, lodgings, eductaion etc) then the parents of the future Ronneys will probably look to place their children with us - with other academies beoming a second choice only if our intake is full
Add that to the 'active' approach that is likely to be taken - with scouts out there looking for the talents - and I think that a few years from now we will be 'reaping' a crop - and every year thereafter
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