Youth systems under attack

GERRY TAGGART... has admitted a charge of “inappropriate behaviour”.

A PROPOSED new elite academies system and restrictions on salaries were among the items on the agenda at a Football League meeting in Leicester today.

Athletic, represented by chief executive Alan Hardy, will be among the clubs examining Premier League proposals to revamp youth-team football in order to give big clubs greater access to young talent.

One of the major concerns for clubs like Athletic is that it could lead to Premier League clubs taking the best young home-based talent from the lower divisions at a fraction of the current cost.

At present, fees for such deals are decided by a tribunal but that could change, with the top flight keen to adopt a fixed FIFA formula that would reduce payments to Football League clubs.

And the warning has been sounded from Football League chairman Greg Clarke that the cut in income from those deals for youngsters migrating to the Premier League could shut down many youth football operations below the top flight, as they become too uneconomic to keep going.

A cost-control system for salaries in League One will also be looked at today.

Currently, League Two clubs operate on the basis that they can spend anything up to 65-per-cent of turnover on player wages.

A similar scheme could be introduced in Athletic's division, a move that would get the support of the hierarchy at Boundary Park.


ATHLETIC will not contest FA charges resulting from the fracas in last week's home match against Carlisle.
The club have admitted the charge of a "mass confrontation" and have asked for a personal hearing, while assistant manager Gerry Taggart has admitted an "inappropriate behaviour" charge and will also plead mitigation.

No date has been set for the hearing as yet, but it will take place at some stage next week.


PLACES are still available for the fans' forum at Tara Leisure, Shaw on Monday night (7.30pm start).
Manager Paul Dickov, assistant Gerry Taggart, head of sports science Paul Butler, midfielder Dean Furman and chairman Simon Corney will all be in attendance.

Tickets can be bought from the main ticket office at Boundary Park for £5.