Colchester United youth coach, Joe Dunne, says the currently precarious financial situation in football means young kids have got a better chance of making it into the game.
He said the emphasis on producing youth talent from within clubs would increase as huge transfer kitties dry-up.
“It`s imperative, due to the financial situation, to produce our own talent. It`s a difficult time, recession-wise. The more we can produce ourselves, the better. It`s a difficult job,” he told Dream 100 FM on Thursday.
Dunne, 36, has overseen the development schemes at United since injury forced him into premature retirement and has great faith that, despite cuts in youth intake across the country this season, it is the best way for football clubs to be independent of the unpredictable transfer market.
“We`ve got four Irish players with the club at the moment. I came to the club when Mark Kinsella [ex-U’s, now Charlton Athletic coach] was here, so there are areas we can pull them in from.
“There are compensation restrictions, but we tend mainly to try and develop our own at the Centre of Excellence, starting at many six or seven years and bring them through the system with the help of the Community Sports Trust,” he added.
Dunne also offered hope to budding younger players of the game who might be looking to make an impact.
He said: “The advice is to get to us by filling in an application form. Do play for your local club because we scout and have people watching. There are many fantastic clubs in this area. The good thing now is the coaches are more qualified.
“Take your pick of the local clubs and get in. They`re competitive and like to win things, which is healthy. Go for the trials and if you`re good enough hopefully one day we will spot you out there.”
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