Does academy football actually work?

How many players make it from playing in an acdemy? Two girls that know first hand what it is like are Karen Quinn and Luna Fenlon.

Quinn has played for both Everton and Liverpool FC throughout her career. Overall, she spent six years in the academy system, however, due to injury she has since moved on to become a PE teacher, but still encourages her pupils to play football and aim high.

Academy football can divide opinions across players who have experienced this pathway, as shown by Quinn stating, “I loved it at Everton there was less support when I was playing, and it wasn’t always clear if there was a pathway through to professional football. It was more about who you knew , more than ability but I only left because the manager wasn’t nice to play for. However, when I went to Liverpool, I loved that there were more pathways. I got to the first team, and I got to train with the first team, but I snapped my ACL and missed the opportunity to make my debut and I was out injured for 2 years so didn’t get another opportunity.”

Playing alongside players that made it professionally inspired Quinn, as she said; ” After playing with Jill Scott and Alex Greenwood, it did inspire me and made me feel proud to have competed against so many who have gone on to be so successful.”

Although Quinn had a positive experience, not everyone does feel included Luna Fenlon who played for Liverpool during the 2009/10 season and then the 2011/12. She quoted; “You want to be the best of the best so you have to sacrifice everything to get where you want to be but as a 7/8 year old you do not necessarily understand. When I look back, I wish I would have brushed everything under the carpet and just played football. Filling out forms every day on what I was eating at eight years old and travelling for two hours to get 10 minutes is something I did not enjoy, what can you do in 10 minutes.”One thing both of these players had in common was the lack of publicity of Women’s professional footballers at the time, as most first team players also had part time jobs on the side.

“Why would you sacrifice everything when there wasn’t a future!”

Luna Fenlon

Due to being in academy football for years opinions can change and develop as Quinn said; “In my opinion my outlook on academy football has changed as I think it’s restricting players’ development as we have children in primary schools who have been banned from playing for their school teams. Also, I think far too many who don’t make it get a fair chance, or we have some clubs who give players who get dropped from academy to other teams. These players get thought of as better due to the name they’ve come from even if they are not as talented as others.

Although I do also fully believe if you have the talent, you should allow it to develop by playing grassroots football and then eventually, if it’s meant to be they will end up at the top. If you have the right coach and the right team it is the right environment to grow.”

Both girls now play for Pilkington FC who currently sit fourth in the league and are hoping to challenge for the top spot this season.

Quinn added; “I’ve loved every minute as I’ve found friends for life and love helping to improve the team to build and find success.”