Preparing Young Players

Having read numerous articles on social media and in the papers, it has become apparent there are lots of issues that many footballers are having to deal with.

In recent months I have been working on my own programme, which aims to raise awareness and educate young players aged between 15 and 18, regarding the challenges they will face during and after their football careers, both on and off the pitch.  In my presentation I use a combination of statistics, facts and case studies – the aim of which is to shock these young players by letting them know that these are stats are stacked against us.

I took the opportunity recently to present this to the Barnet under 18’s. I talk about the importance of education and planning as well as discussing potential problems they may face.  I do this by drawing on my own personal experiences and using other examples from players past and present.  As a product of the English youth system and currently still playing I feel I am in a very good position to understand what young players are going through.

Having had the time to reflect and realise that my own time in football hasn’t always been plain sailing – I have to be honest and say that a lot of the issues were due to my own actions.  I realise now that at periods in my career, I have made poor decisions.  I have had to accept responsibility and deal with the consequences.   I feel duty bound at the stage in my career, being the senior pro to ensure I can pass on the best advice and not watch players head towards failure.

I have experienced winning the Premier League with Arsenal, the Championship with Reading and Wolves, and the Conference with Barnet.  In stark contrast, lows have included relegations with both Leeds and Barnet.  Life away from football has also seen me experience some difficult times and some very public ones including a rape allegation and an assault charge both resulting in trials which I was rightfully acquitted.  Despite this I am open and honest with young players about the consequences and challenges I later faced, and how this may have been avoided.

 I am frustrated at seeing so many talented young British players struggle to progress and turn professional.  

- The PFA estimate 700 players are released each summer.  

- Only 50% of 16 year old players remain in the game at 18.  40% of ex-players are declared bankrupt within 5 years of retirement.

- 33% are divorced within a year of retirement

- 297 ex-players are in the British prison system (150 young offenders and 147 adults)

- 87% of adult offenders are convicted drug offenders.

*sources ( XPRO,BBC Sport and The PFA)

These players find themselves feeling rejected, isolated and mostly uneducated, facing life in the real world after being evicted from the football bubble.  This is the shocking reality for young players.   

I believe young players now have all the tools available to develop, learn and succeed.  They have excellent coaches, state of the art facilities, expert advice in sports science, nutrition, and performance analysis - allowing them to solely concentrate on playing football.  Football coaches, the PFA, team-mates and parents can all guide and help you but ultimately it’s the Player that is control and makes decisions.

Why is it then we see so many young British players failing to make it? Is it the competition and quality from young foreign players? Is it because British players simply aren’t good enough? Some fail to develop physically, some are unlucky with injury while others simply have the wrong attitude. I also believe that high wages given to such young players are a catalyst and accelerant in the demise of so many young promising careers.

However, I believe the biggest problem young players currently face are the social and materialistic temptations.  Young players lose focus very quickly as to why they wanted to be professionals at the start.  The glitz of VIP tables in West End nightclubs, partnered with the latest watch and expensive car soon become a dangerous alternative to early nights recovering for training or a midweek game.

It alarms me that when I speak to young players and ask them about potential problems they may face as young men, they all seem to have the answers, yet a lot of players still choose to make the wrong decisions. 

I am guilty for falling for all of the above but realised very quickly that my career would fall apart at the seams unless I made changes. I was able to recognise and accept I needed to do things differently. I have been fortunate to have had the support from my managers, team mates and most importantly from my family, this enabled me to overcome and deal with the challenges that lay ahead.

I soon realised the importance of planning through others misfortune. I saw team mates and friends struggle with depression, lose marriages and hit financial ruin. I decided to begin my coaching qualifications and have since achieved my UEFA Goalkeeping Licence, UEFA B Licence, FA Modules 1 and 2, and I am currently completing the final part of my UEFA A Licence – this has allowed me to progress into coaching whilst still playing.

I am convinced more needs to be done with young players early on by being pro-active to give them the best opportunity to be successful and maximise their full potential.

I find it both refreshing and sad to hear ex-pros and current players like myself talk about their personal issues.  I believe it’s these players that will make the difference to young players lives as they have been through the experience personally. It seems to have far more impact than people who wear suits to the training ground who may out of touch with the modern game.  I admire the honesty of players who bravely come out publicly.  It increases awareness and adds reality to a sport that is becoming very surreal. Yes players are paid handsomely at the very highest level but it’s the players in the lower leagues that haven’t reached financial safety that it effects most.

The PFA do offer advice and support and as a member for nearly 20 years I am grateful to have been able to use them when I’ve needed advice.  The PFA have contributed towards a number of courses helping me to plan a future beyond football.

FAIL TO PREPARE YOUNG PLAYERS, PREPARE YOUNG PLAYERS TO FAIL!

I hope people find this an interesting read and would be grateful for any feedback both good and bad. Please share.

 Thanks

Stacky