Curly Withers

[DV]

So, who is responsible for scouting and brining in youth players?

[Flashheart]

So, who is responsible for scouting and brining in youth players?

One would assume the youth team manager.

Although, as I said, one doesn't really know about these things.

[Arriba]

The coaches within the youth set up. Coaches in the different age groups of the players generally decide with Jeremy Newton. Bodin will select the youth team squad with the help of Dave Warren,Ian Palmer and Jeremy Newton.

If Di canio has ideas to make it better then bring it on i say. Can't see it imporoving much on the money they currently survive on though.
Think they have done ok really

[SuggWillSugg MBE]

Has Bodin sr. actually been bombed out?

I thought it was just speculation...

[deltaincline]

I think Bodin is toast as soon as the season ends.

There is no doubt about the current youth setup having some major problems.

Not sure if all that's down to Bodin though - I dont know the guy - but he's head of that department, so the buck has to stop at his desk for at least not addressing the problems and sorting them out.

It's one of the critical revenue generation departments at the club, so it needs to be run right by a charismatic individual who is inclusive, can engage with local clubs at grass roots level and can persuade families that STFC is the perfect place for little johhny to be playing football at.

A respected ex-pro with an infectious personality (someone like Lee Peacock - if he knew what he was doing in yoof football) would be perfect.

No disrespect to PDC, but the appointment needs to be English, not Italian.

[RedRag]

PDCs embracing of Curly (literally and metaphorically) has been touching and uplifting - great photo earlier.

Paolo's recent youth-directed rant was yet another surprise but he is very demanding on matters football even though I'm still not clear what PDC has done, hasn't done or is about to do, though that would be a new thread wouldn't it?

[SuggWillSugg MBE]

PDCs embracing of Curly (literally and metaphorically) has been touching and uplifting - great photo earlier.

Very much a "I told you we'd do it!" moment I think.

[Hammer]

The affection shown by PdC to Curly brought a tear to my eye. Yet I still can't interpret (from photos etc) exactly where

 the emotions lie.

Changing tack, what is the point in us now having a Youth structure ? We no longer have a reserve team, through which

a transition can be gradually made through to the first team.

Equally, the arrogant Premier League has orchesrated the EPPP to ensure that we wouldn't benefit financially from

developing talent.

So why bother ? Is it not better to pick & choose our talent from bigger clubs ? Maybe those with an established CV ?

EG Ward, Ferry, Caddis, Bostock, Ritchie et al.

Those of you who, dare I say, have subscribed to Sky Sports, have inadvertantly contributed to the failings of Youth

Policy and League football in general.

[Nomoreheroes]

Are we making a bit much of the Curly stuff? Is he just a nice bloke that PDC likes? Does he remind PDC of his father? Is it because he is the embodiment of the history of the club? I don't know.

[Ginginho]

I met Curly a couple of weeks ago and had a chat with him about his Wembley experience, he was so chuffed and honoured to be asked to sit in the dugout, one of the best moments of his life with STFC.
Sometimes it's just nice to do a little something for someone in the background to show they're appreciated, that's all.
Fair play to PDC and the board.

[betty_swollox]

As many on here are probably aware, but Danny Wilson also let Curly Withers sit on the bench at Wembley 2010. I don't remember that getting any media attention or fans praise? Anyway I think the more important fact people are missing, is that Curly has sat on the bench twice and we haven't even scored a goal (and Risser's strike doesn't count). Maybe it's time to move him on? I heard Paul Hart let him sit on his knee at the Notts County home game last year...and we all know how that went.

Personally I feel that Paul Bodin has done a good job. The best player we've produced from Swindon for years has cum as product of his own testicles and for that type of commitment to the system I feel he deserves a bit of acknowledgment.
The problem is that unless your father is a bit of a club legend that anyone really decent from our area aged 16 or below, will just get nabbed by Reading or Southampton (it happens all the time). Look at all the players under the Byrne era/recently that we've 'produced' when really the were either rejected or nabbed from other teams Jutkiewicz (Southampton), Kennedy (Reading), Morrison (Plymouth), Tozer (Plymouth?), Storey (Wolves) amongst others.
All we can do as a club is keep finding these or other gems who can't cut it at bigger clubs even once they've served their YTS. Like Ritchie, Caddis, Ferry etc and try to move our team forward with young players who would command a fee if they were to ever leave.

[nevillew]

Since when was Kate Cady part of the STFC 'family'? She was nowt more than a member of staff.

Like Curly Withers ?

[Ginginho]

Anyway I think the more important fact people are missing, is that Curly has sat on the bench twice and we haven't even scored a goal

To be fair to Curly, he never came off the bench so wasn't given the chance to score.

[Flashheart]

Like Curly Withers ?

Errrm

No. Not like Curly Withers in the slightest. Curly has been here since the dawn of time whereas Kate had barely been here for 5 minutes.

But then I though that was obvious. 

[nevillew]

Errrm

No. Not like Curly Withers in the slightest. Curly has been here since the dawn of time whereas Kate had barely been here for 5 minutes.

But then I though that was obvious. 

So what's the qualification period then ?