Just watched the highlights of the u18s final

[Arthur]

... before they are snapped up by forward thinking clubs

A club like us, you mean? A club that is putting in the time and effort to develop a truly outstanding Academy? A club that is producing players who have a genuine chance of playing at the highest level?

Yeah, that sort of club, I guess.

[Joe McDonald]

Just read an interesting aricle on Freiburg and their youth set up
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2013/may/23/germany-bust-boom-talent

I wonder how close we are as a club to that German model that is being lauded so much recently?

[epsomraver]

... before they are snapped up by forward thinking clubs

A club like us, you mean? A club that is putting in the time and effort to develop a truly outstanding Academy? A club that is producing players who have a genuine chance of playing at the highest level?

Yeah, that sort of club, I guess.

Let us wait and see who moves forward, Frei and Kaca are the only two from the u 21,s who have featured in two seasons for us at the top, I don.t believe Jol has much intention of bringing young players through, It took till the last game for Kaka to have a full game and he nearly got a hat trick.We have a poor record of bringing youngsters through, hope it will change.

[cmg]

We have a poor record of bringing youngsters through, hope it will change.

Yes, let us hope so. It's not much use having the raw material if we don't make any use of it.

One thing may have already changed. It's a bit difficult, especially for us more ancient specimins, to get used to the idea that Fulham may actually be the best at something, but it is by no means outrageous to argue that we have the top u18 outfit in the country.
These kids who have put on this fine display have not been kidnapped, they didn't get the wrong bus to school and turn up at Motspur Park by accident. They were identified by the Fulham scouting system and were attracted to Fulham, often in the face of competition, by the superior conditions and coaching on offer. Success breeds success and Fulham will now be the destination of choice for more and more talented youngsters.
We must ensure, if we are to continue this trend, that we give them the opportunities as well as the coaching.