Premier League academies: The brutal release stories of Devonte Redmond and Owen Bailey | BBC Sport

Football Focus presents Hidden Pressures. This short form documentary features our presenter and ex pro footballer Liam MacDevitt, who explores the 97% of players who come through the Premier League academy system but do not play a minute of top flight football.
He meets Devonte Redmond, who was released from Manchester United in 2018, finding out through Twitter, and Owen Bailey who was released from Newcastle United last year after suffering a long term injury.
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#bbcsport #premierleagueacademies #devonteredmond #owenbailey

[@BBCSport]

Crystal Palace have just become the first team to create a dedicated 3-year aftercare package for players released from their academy. 👏The programme will support released academy players to get back on their feet outside of football.

[@lucianodenobrega5319]

It is a great move by Crystal palace to set up this program. Hope more teams especially top flight will follow suit as well.

[@PeacockRhino]

It should be made mandatory for all clubs to do this.

[@dannyboywhaa3146]

WTF? They should be grateful to have had the opportunity in the first place. Think of the skills and experience you’d pick up after a few years in an environment like that? If you can’t use that to get on in life then what can you use? What about the kids that never got into an academy in the first place? This is just pathetic... less than 1% make it, and they all know that when they begin their journey... Jesus help us...

[@hstudies]

@@dannyboywhaa3146 did you even watch the video you Muppet

[@Nkay1up]

@@dannyboywhaa3146 Yh you’ve deffo not experienced academy football then

[@scottallan7931]

I'm a former Australian under 16 18 and 23 international player. Had trials and contract discussions lined up with Leicester Newcastle and Blackburn. Was touted to be a success in the PL and was about to leave with high expectations. 2 weeks before I was due to leave I got injured badly and was told I'd never recover to play at that level again. Tried to make comebacks to no avail. I just wasnt the same player. 21 and it was all over. I'm 48 now and I still think more often than not about what might have been...

[@itchypup8225]

🧢

[@BrooklynBoy206]

Hope you’re well mate. Remember that your self worth isn’t tied to that success you might e had. You are enough, with or without.

[@Maikel98]

@@itchypup8225 your quite quick to judge

[@scottallan7931]

@The Comment Scrutineer 🤣

[@stephencooper7459]

You would have been about the Viduka and Kewell era 🤔when Leeds were a decent side.

[@MichaelChisholmChizzieRascal]

I think every player released should be offered counselling and go through a step by step program of other options they can do. It would be such a small cost to the club compared to the amount spent on other things.

[@rossprocter-learnenglishes1077]

And a huge selling point for their academy too

[@finnm4981]

@@rossprocter-learnenglishes1077 I'm not sure about them offering direct counselling but some clubs do provide after-football education for youth academy scholars. I know that Southampton FC provides tutors for their young players when taking exams.

[@lucianodenobrega5319]

I totally agree with you

[@pcsamz5127]

Crystal palace are the first club to start this in the prem

[@finnm4981]

@@pcsamz5127 aye I spotted that news article, really positive stuff! Hopefully more clubs will follow.

[@BryanMassa]

Went through the same thing here in sweden. But there’s hope! Now working at Nike hq in stockholm after 10 years not knowing what to do… great doc! Need a longer version of this type of documentary

[@AB-hu2uw]

@Cian MacGana looooool im dead

[@ronrowefc]

BRYAN!!! BRO YOU WERE MY INSPIRATION BACK IN THOSE DAYS!! FOLLOWED EVERYTHING YOU DID!!! You’re OG man. Hope you’re well

[@ronrowefc]

@Cian MacGana bro.... this dude was a baller. Like proper baller no joke. Was ambassador for Nike was in Nike academy played for AIK all that.

[@scottward5040]

Thank you for sharing Bryan. This 10 years you mentioned is exactly within the 2-10 year mourning period my reserach showed. Proud of you for getting there but definately something we can prevent and what I am aiming to do with my work in sport and other sectors.

[@rossprocter-learnenglishes1077]

How did you get into Nike?

[@hikerwoody182]

Respect to Owen, he's suffered bad injuries and his positive attitude has given him the chance at Gateshead 👏👏🙏

[@sm9987]

I can relate to this so much, as I was released by a German 1st Bundesliga youth team at age 18. We never got any guidance or advice for the adult life and I always felt like I was just a number. It’s great seeing teams in England starting a Programm for this now! Should be mandatory for everyone.

[@derolivenolleugner4569]

Which team?

[@muhammadihsan4896]

@@derolivenolleugner4569 fsv mainz

[@selenkywreckless]

"released by a German 1st Bundesliga youth team" what team!?

[@jasonsutton4415]

Wow, that line from Owen’s mum really hits home. What a fantastic woman, every footballer should have a mum like that, released or not released. Love and support, whatever happens in life, helps you to take life’s knocks.

[@samsantana9348]

Very depressing listening to this, losing everything especially with a career that requires focus and very demanding. What are shame, it’s scary .

[@bookerjam]

Fantastic segment. More of this kind of stuff please. Really great interviews from Liam MacDevitt.

[@regoftherovers7175]

I was in the same situation and I completely turned my back on football the one thing I loved to do... its 20 years later and it still painful, these young men and women need help as part of a package with there clubs and should be offered years after they have been released. This kids give there life to there clubs, miss out on childhoods it's the least They can do!!!!

[@garygoodger]

Completely agree, I was in the same situation too and when things went downhill at aged 18 I completely rejected football and walked away. I was offered to play semi-pro but it wasn't enough so I just quit completely. Now I'm 33 and look back with regret, but until you're in the situation you never really understand how it feels when you genuinely believe football will be your life.

[@gfuah1499]

Aww poor kids who are shit at football now have to live normal like the rest of us..

[@regoftherovers7175]

@@gfuah1499 I have lived like everyone else and been extremely successful. But still doesn't take away from the support these young men and women need after dedicating there lives to a Pacific thing.

[@Harry-hk1nz]

Happend to my cousin, playd for manchester city for 13 years up until he was 21, played at the same age group as phil foden and sancho. Was the captain of under 18s and 21s however got released to Wolves, again still didnt get a game and now hes playing a notts county.

[@siu281]

Edward Francis?

[@Harry-hk1nz]

@@siu281 yeh bro, it’s a shame cause he’s not doing as well

[@Karan-yg6gq]

im going to notts county in the summer, would love to meet edward there!

[@Harry-hk1nz]

@@Karan-yg6gq oh shit, yh hes there right now, he said he loves it, good look bro.

[@who6891]

How do you captain and not go anywhere? Genuine question

[@chd1694]

Hopefully 🙏🏻 these guys got the help to not sink into a deeper depression after they cannot pursue what they are good at. Great video. More athletes need to see this.

[@theblackunicorn8065]

Went through the same thing at Swindon town when Roy Evans was manager at the time. But never the less you bounce back and it makes you a stronger person.

[@robneave2759]

very similar situation to me. didnt pass medical cause they found a condition in my lungs and heart and they said they couldnt take the risk. trialled for alot of other clubs but just fell out of love with football. and got depressed. more needs to be done to help these boys who dont make it.

[@antoniaPrince]

Loves this documentary. This truly needs to be explored further

[@FCD844]

37 now, this happened to me when I was 19, at Liverpool. And If it wasnt for my mam and dad, I would of went off the rails. My issue was I hated the game and the process by the time I was 19, I had been in Schools of Exellence and Acadamies from 11/12. And by the time I was 16/17, I just didnt love the game anymore, the constant pressure and assements of it all just sucked the love out of the game for me. I wanted to taught how to play the game, where to stand, when to run, how to do this and that, so at 16 I thought, ahhh this is when I'm going to learn the trade properly, and it never came. It was a masssive let down personally. I think times have changed and there is more of a European focus on training and developement, hense you can see the England Team is full of young technical players, which is great. But, I re-sat my GCSE's at 18, went to college, went to uni, got a job, have a family, great house, great car, great kids & wife. And I havent kicked a ball since 2003.

[@AF-we4re]

props to you, life is what you make it.

[@pendafen7405]

Incredible story, you sound mature and switched-on. If you don't mind the question, what did you end up studying and then working in? And did any of your skills from pro youth football prove useful in this career/life path?

[@FCD844]

@@pendafen7405 Industrial design. I’ve worked for Bentley and now currently at red bull racing in Milton Keynes as an engineer. I always found, how things work interesting. Was ok at maths it turns out when I applied myself, and was somewhat creative in designing things. Did football help? Well it’s kind of like being in the army, in a weird way. If I’m told to do something, I do it. I’m never late, I’m always 5mins early no matter what. I try and be humble as much as possible, make sure to help the kids coming out of uni or on apprenticeships etc etc. So maybe it helped a little bit, but that’s all about being a good person at the end of the day. Find something that you actually love, and you won’t work a day in your life, that’s the saying I think!ha. Hope that helps.

[@pendafen7405]

@@FCD844 fantastic reply, thanks. Your life has worked out great, and I'm happy for that. Punctuality, conscientiousness, and leadership/teaching qualities all sound like strong transferable skills to me.

[@laoch5658]

you weren't excellent though, you were just privileged to be picked

[@jackmason7823]

I think every academy player should have A Levels/BTECs provided for them by the club. They have given so much time to the club, the club should give them a chance to prepare in case they don't make it.

[@humzahhassan4521]

they do especially when it comes to gcse’s

[@top5tings]

They do I know a lad who is on the coaching staff of forest kids team after not making it

[@fightingpridetv1411]

Good mini documentary definitely raising awareness in an area that we just don’t play that much mind to ... 👍🏽👌🏽✊🏽

[@TheRussmey]

I hope this very realistic video is shown far and wide and the people in positions of influence and relative power look at the reality and help young footballers who’ve lived and breathed football most of their young lives to see somehow, someway there is life after being released.

[@dayumboydayum8461]

I’m glad this is being talked about now and wish it was talked about more. It’s not just football it’s a lot of sports. It’s hard to take especially when you don’t have a back up plan like a business or education. I wish all the lads and girls all the best who don’t make it for whatever reason.

[@fabipuello]

Really good! Very heartfelt.

[@SanRemoMotelBar]

This is a major major issue. It's literally all or nothing with football, there needs to be some kind of serious structural support to transition these people out of football or into lower leagues. Imagine dedicating your entire life to football only for it to shatter because of an injury that could happen to anyone.

[@lewismckenzie236]

Not at my club Celtic it isn't. You are required to attend college whilst in our academy so that you can have a fallback option. This should be a requirement for every club.

[@top5tings]

Rubbish it's 2022 not 1995

[@jimgavin1726]

I’ve watched over the years where big clubs mop up all the talent at a young age purely with the view to hold onto the 1% and discard the rest just as your video shows with nothing to show or replace it with. The onus must be on the teams to have a support mechanism in place to mentor not just the players they keep but as a duty of care to the ones they release. Yes, football is a business but great businesses go above and beyond with support.

[@atomsk1972]

My son was on this path for 2 sports, he had to choose one - at first I was 100% on board, living vicariously through him, but then I experienced enough of the ruthless mentality of the clubs - winning above all else. 10-13 year olds treated like trash in the name of winning - if you saw a person yelling at a child outside of the sporting realm the way coaches/managers do, you would intervene or call the police. The kids have no time for anything else - not even fun play at the sport they love. 12 year olds with depression and anxiety for poor performances or coaches berating them. If someone told you, "you have a 95% chance to have a profession or a 0.0001% chance of being a professional athlete with no chance at a profession" which would you choose?

[@kitgumayegang2562]

seeing the younglings put in all their maiden efforts & at the end of the day the fall short of all kinds of uncertainties is so heartbreaking

[@mohican161]

Went through the same when released from the academy, I’m now a qualified teacher. There’s hope for all released players.

[@sayanmukherjee3691]

There dreams aren't over.... They can play lower leagues or 1st division league of Asian countries specially India and then if they had good contacts and got in touch with good agents, they will re achieved their dreams once again. Power to both of them💪

[@lewismckenzie236]

@Trolling Deep The Indian league pays a premium to foreign players. You're absolutely clueless 😂

[@paulthrutner9114]

I grew up with a guy who played for Crewe academy. Back in the 90's Crewe we're big on youth development under Dario Grady. He was the most popular guy in school, took time off school to play for them and signed on a YTS. 12 months later he got injured and now fits carpets.

[@chilibeer3912]

I love this and would love to see a more in depth documentary.

[@rjay4713]

I can relate to this, I had trials with West Ham but they said it wasn't fair on the other kids

[@greengiant8863]

They should play in the MLS. They’d be better than a lot of players.

[@clippygoat]

Had a friend who played for U15 to U23 in my country. He played in a youth team for West Ham United only to get cut short from the junior team once he turned 19. Now, he only plays here in my country's football league. Felt bad for him since he was a decent right back.

[@TommyRx]

I'm a life-long united fan, I remember Redmond back in like 2015, I really liked him, especially when I was playing career mode, thought he would have a good future, but dang.. It was really sad to hear how he really felt about his release.

[@laoch5658]

pathetic comment

[@alexdavies5269]

The thing I don’t get is if your getting released from Manchester United surely a EFL team would want them

[@keshav7428]

This is true for Chelsea probably cause their academy is so good that if you fail to make it you’ll probably get another premier league club. United no longer have those standards so if you’re released you might just be good enough for non league

[@alexdavies5269]

@@keshav7428 Uniteds might not be up there with Chelsea and City’s but I’m certain if they get released at about 18 just before there pro contract they will get several professional teams contacting them

[@michaelarmer256]

most clubs would take a look at least. but i think ex top side players really sturggle dropping down mentally. they get no time no respect whilst trying to deal with the fact that they got let go

[@GregB1972]

I pray these guys all end up in a better place. i only hope clubs do more ro someone comes up with a way to help the adjustment. If any players read this, let me know. I suffered a lot and would love to tell you all its ok. You will be fine. take a breath and hug those who love you.

[@user-rr3cn5hl3j]

Honestly mate it’s hard to find any purpose outside this sport :/

[@ritchierich2793]

Ohhh, i cant wait in the next ten month for another piece of this series..

[@antoniaPrince]

A Sport career can be a bitter sweet journey. Sorry to these lads whose dreams got shattered, keep pushing through what's ahead.❤

[@timmyfung01]

football profession is a very high risk high reward field. Most fails, but for the few that succeed to get to the top level (Premier League level), they are well compensated. after all, there can only be 11 men playing on the field for each team, but hundreds of teenage talents working their way up every year. Clubs are expected to choose the best of the best, sometimes the entire youth team will get disposed of because the senior team has no room. I hope those guys will have a better future somewhere else.

[@gksldgsfdlskgmds4550]

As a 21 year old Australian player, I have an interesting perspective on this all. I knew many lads growing up who were incredible players, peaking in their performance and athletic abilities at about 15, 16, 17. Myself however, I was in the squad but always on the outside watching in. I was playing, but not that highly rated, just kinda participating. I had similar, if not better ball skills and game awareness than the other guys, but I didn't go through puberty until age 19/20. That was the main reason for the position I was in. I struggled physically. But I would keep my head down, work hard, and just watch my surroundings and how the coaches picked teams and whatever. At the same time, because football wasn't really 'brought' into the fore-front of my life, through coaches telling me how good I was, who I could be, where I could sign etc, I focused on other things at the same time. These includes school, reading, and an instrument. By the time I graduated school aged 17, I was just beginning to grow physically. As time went on, and life got more challenging, with no more coaches telling you how good you are and being praised like some up and coming star, many of those promising boys simply lost interest, didn't feel motivated. One I saw recently had put on a shit ton of weight! For me, I kept playing, because I never needed a helping hand to keep my interest and love in the game, I had to bring myself up. Anyway, I'm playing at a decent level still,, while in my last year of college. I predict that as time passes, these unique experiences and scenarios have deemed me a 'specific' 'valuable' player which certain teams and coaches may want. I don't think I will sign professionally, but definitely semi-pro in the next few years. This is not because I 'want' or 'need' to 'make it', it's because I learnt how to play and treat all the effort I was putting into it as just another thing I wanted to do; something 'I' wanted to do, not for mum or dad or my coach; me.... I never had hopes and dreams, and that's exactly what made my hopes and dreams possible... thanks guys, peace, love, and patience. George.

[@Daniel-on7hg]

There is no decent level of football in Australia.

[@carnaleswearofficial1654]

Australia got the worst football system in the world they can’t even beat Indonesia in a proper first team match absolutely embarrassing lmao

[@gamecrab1015]

This is a good message thanks bro

[@Adotp-]

Cool

[@reez1728]

You say you went to school yet you seem to never have learnt paragraphing.

[@scottmcnaughton539]

Echo many of the comments already, a brilliant little piece that should really be made into a full length piece. It unfortunately happens in all major sports around the globe. Kids are built up that they will be the next superstar and then are dropped into isolation when someone else decides that's enough. Nowhere near enough is done to support players when they leave the sport, especially at the younger levels. Yes old retired players struggle too but many have a decade plus to build a level of sustainability. Young kids don't.

[@mrgreatbritain]

This is so depressing and something that just doesn’t get talked about, surely lower league clubs would be delighted to have some of these young prospects. You hear success stories of older injury-prone players!

[@thlee3]

for sure. happens in All professional sports. what people dont talk about is that these kids dont have any other skills and education outside of futball … theyre ill equipped to deal with the real world.

[@NoelleFrancisco]

So sad. The find out like that too 😢

[@Chall1]

As of 2023, Owen Bailey has now become a Doncaster Rovers player and I am so glad after the last couple of seasons at Gateshead FC.

[@PedroRodriguez-kg4bq]

so glad this is a thing now. i was touted to be the next messi/ronaldo hybrid. Was offered 2mill a day be Blackburn during their heyday. But seconds before signing the deal I smacked my head on a low ceiling, blacked out and wokeup speaking french...

[@kizdog0129]

Respect devotnte lad❤️🇾🇪

[@emmetreilly1355]

The method of releasing young players, and not providing them with further support and guidance after they have been part of the club for so long is shocking. Many of these teams support men's mental health, but leaving a person aged 18 with nothing is a serious problem.

[@timc_etc]

it's crazy that kids give up their whole childhood to football clubs on the chance of becoming successful and then clubs just bin them off without any help or support

[@michaelarmer256]

do be fair top level youngsters earn a lot of money in that time doing nothing in the academy. my club had a load of journey men and one was from liverpool youth after a few other clubs i worked there and asked some of the lads whos fancy car it was in the parking lot and they said it was his with his liverpool money far nicer than any of the others had and he wasn't our first choice but he had money cash than any of our other players

[@ryanstevens5311]

gutted for Devonte shocking to find out you have been released on twitter

[@D1Snr]

It's appalling. You'd think they would tell you to your face

[@eXclusive1]

I haven't played academy football but I would advise these youngsters to aim higher, OWN the football club- Make something of yourself outside of football.

[@carltonmarshall9270]

I grew up in the Bradford City youth and was approached to be signed by Leeds. My parents controlled it all as I was only young (12 y/o) for one reason or another the Leeds deal fell through, and City no longer wanted me due to me pushing for the move. Haven't played football since, and i regret it every single day. Its been 13 years.

[@geo6646]

What do you do for a living now

[@D1Snr]

So many players don't make professional. When I was a kid so many of my district team were signed up to centre of excellence as they were then known. However, once they reached 15 nearly 98% of them got released. These were kids who had been there since 9 or 10 and had played 100's of games for their clubs. Most of them had to go and find a career and most never played football at any level again. There were some good players who would have found semi pro football easy, but it was like after being at a pro club, they couldn't lower themselves to a semi pro club so they quit full stop. Coindentally, 2 players from the team went on to have professional careers in the Premier League and up until very recently both of them were managers of teams in the football league. One still is a manager in the league and doing brilliantly.

[@joelww2501]

Great video

[@AI-di7ll]

My parents took me out of Sunday league football at 14 and I felt like I had no world left lol, can't imagine what it feels like being released from an actual academy at an older age

[@nsubugakasozi7101]

This is sad. Hope they all get counselling. I really think that if you are top player....its just better to begin your journey from lower league teams. You get into the first team faster, you get more chances and you grow up knowing the reality of lower league football. Playing for a premier league Academy is actually a disadvantage I think.

[@LewisColetheboss]

I'm ex pro myself I started at age 8 signed for tranmere rovers there 9 years , then Man City for 4 yr then I was sold on to Yeovil Town, then Chester FC, an so on an so on, I played for 16 years, but didn't full fill my dream totally as I didn't play in prem but there needs to be more help for the mental down side I had some dark days believe me but I just pushed on

[@OkOk-ru2lq]

It’s never over …to all my ballers out there …u find u another route and keep striving …just bc u got released doesn’t mean u must quit

[@grind4life143]

Exactly that should push you to make it

[@drillingig2368]

The non league game is reviving careers out here man

[@the_khu_khem2319]

There should always be a backup plan in place people don't realise how difficult it is the breakthrough into the ranks of first team football.

[@harrywizard7375]

that part where he done his knee is 100% true and these people that just dispose of you that easy is one of many things that makes the world we live in shit

[@8964TS]

At least if you don’t make it because of injury you have the comfort of knowing it was out of your hands. It must feel so much worse for those kids who spend their youth trying to make it only to be cut for just not being good enough.

[@lewismckenzie236]

I would say that's far worse than not making it because you couldn't make the grade. Being stripped of your dreams through something you had no control over would be mentally devastating.

[@njh8277]

The opposite is worse. You can live with not being good enough. Getting your dream snatched away by an injury will scar you for life

[@8964TS]

I’m the exact opposite. I never lose sleep over things that are out of my hands. I only fret about things I had some control over. If it comes down to ability, I’d always ask myself if I could have trained a little bit more or done something differently or taken some alternative advice etc that could have given me more of an edge. An injury would be devastating, but I’d be able to live knowing my career ended because of force majeure, not my own failure. I’m like this with everything. I get nervous before presentations I’ve had weeks to prepare but never when my boss just calls me into a meeting on short notice and asks me to speak to a room full of people, because in the first instance it’s all in my hands and I had time to do well; in the second instance I know everyone else knows I’m improvising, so I feel no pressure to be perfect. Never fear or resent what you can’t control.

[@paulrichards2350]

Both lads released from very big clubs and not getting any support is disgraceful these clubs need to take some time with the lads and give them help and certainly don’t release them on social media surely it can be done more personally.

[@ShaniAce]

Interesting video but the conclusion could've been longer and more thorough.

[@benjaminstrong4837]

I don't speak about this often. But I have one of the worst. I had a client who was at a club since 7 years old. They released him on his 18th birthday. God knows the impact of that on him going forward. People blame agents and players when the clubs have the power. Awful industry.

[@thegoat5375]

How is it awful it’s a business

[@JADBeats]

@@thegoat5375 They take kids at young ages knowing most of them will fail, and then release them after 10 years without offering support. These kids dedicate their life to football, and the clubs just release most of them without offering help afterwards.

[@baeseulgi1742]

@@JADBeats exactly, in England especially it is essentially a slave plantation where they prey or at least benefit from the desperation of working class children and overhype them, as is common in England to do, but yet do not equip them with the proper mentality or knowledge as to how the system actually works until it is too late

[@Daniel-ni5ew]

Money money money

[@user-rr3cn5hl3j]

@@JADBeats that’s what irks me a bit. Approximately 1,500,000 kids sign up for academies, and only 180 are put into the premier league by the end of their youth. The rest? Goodbye to them. So if these academies know they’re only going to keep about 0.00012% of these kids (and so only 0.00012% will make any sustainable career off the sport) why are they allowing so many to even sign up? The recruitment process should be MUCH harder and MUCH more selective. It doesn’t even financially make sense when you factor in that they’re paying for all these kids expenses

[@francisenaberue2691]

A branch in the academy should be mandatory for all student to learn how to play safe, this will enable these graduates to keep safe and play to avoid crashing out of the system. Identify the mean players to play safe and nit to always impressive but play team game. I think positional play avail it.

[@bigseb1984]

Show the full thing on youtube

[@yeoweehuathuat8926]

Football taught abot discipline n resilience, etc..even you didn’t make it, you hv become a good person

[@blackmagic1371]

Living your best life (don’t forget about the rest right!)....................Dreams can come true (for me & you)👍🏾

[@mickgreer2146]

Give Liam more assignments, he's very good.

[@mattybanks508]

Owen Bailey back in the Football League signed for Doncaster Rovers today great to he's got a 2nd chance in professional football 👍

[@fleischwolf82]

When I was in a U18 team, we got a 12 year old who was a pure genius in football. After a couple of months he moved from Switzerland to Italy to join Juventus Turin. Back then I thought he would surely become a professional player. Today I know the line even for the most talented players is very thin.

[@adityamuktirahadi853]

Who is this player?

[@chasefitness4kids221]

Makes you think doesn't it! how lucky some of these ballers are. More needs to be done for players who were axed, the amount of money these clubs make they should help especially after releasing a young hopeful.

[@olympic-ass-eater]

Can you imagine like 100k kids enroll into the academy to find out like 200 out of 100k kids will make it to the professional and able to make a living to escape poverty? Can you imagine the rest of the kids enroll at age 6 - 7 just to get release by age 16 - 17?! 10 years of training and passion just to get destroy completely. Why there is no one coming up with more clubs and pathways?

[@mikelantern148]

It’s not just in football but life in general. On the brighter side, these guys are young and have an many more years to look forward to change their lives. Life of a footballer is about 10 years or maybe 15 if you’re a prime athlete. Interesting interview all the same.

[@SirWolfKing]

Just gave both the lads a 4 week trial on fm

[@Maikel98]

Very relatable video, I wasn’t as close to making it pro as these guys but dedicated so much time to football and played in all sorts of academy’s and coaches telling me how talented I am, winning all kinds of awards. Just to not make it anywhere…as a kid in nz I realised I wanted to play rugby but I never did as I thought I’d be letting my parents down so I kept playing football which I was slowly but surely losing a lot of interest in…I can’t stand playing competitive football anymore, I see it as a soft sport… I should have pursued a judo career as I was national champion but quit that also for football…. I hate football

[@joshuabarber1035]

Same story for me bad injury halted me singing professional in Australia in the A league. Went off the rails bad. 27 now currently a barber in Dubai. But I could of used some help with things when my football went to shit

[@latifzaman830]

should try venture to overseas club in south east asia like JDT

[@AkersJohn]

Notts County fan here... Notts have had multiple young players (u23s) over the years that have been former City, Newcastle, and Arsenal academy youths. It has to be immensely difficult, and I don't think literal children understand the path they're on at say... 13/14 years old. What also blows my mind is how far these players drop. If you're good enough to be in an academy at 17 - 18, surely you're good enough to play in the Championship or League 1. Falling all the way to the National League shocks me, to a degree.

[@kexoid]

Is it lack of ability or lack of connections in your opinion?

[@mrjinks5641]

It’s a ruthless production line.

[@user-dr2ww2jg8o]

I wish injuries didn’t happen imagine how good some players could have been

[@englishjona6458]

I’ve got a pre-written letter with my name written in pen from Crystal Palace where my uncle was a hold name at the time 🤷🏽‍♂️

[@striker1810]

Legend of a mum!

[@GerryScullion]

You can tell a lot about a Club by the way they treat you on the way out. United sounds like a tough culture to survive in.

[@michael-john4954]

it happens in every club. From the biggest clubs to the lowest.

[@baeseulgi1742]

look at the first team of your club and that should tell you everything about it’s academy. Chelsea recently bought a LWB for the academy even e first team needed an LWB. Looking at all the prima donna United players, it’s obvious that it’s not a good environment

[@mohammadshatila3502]

It has been ever since fergie left, and it hasn't reflected well on the club in terms of results

[@AJ-nd4nk]

It's sports. At the pro level, it is cut throat.

[@uncreative5766]

@@mohammadshatila3502 The thing with United though is the accountability has slipped, for sure. Ferguson didn't care who anyone was. If he felt someone was acting out of line, he went after them, Stam, Rio, Beckham, van Nistelrooy. It clearly doesn't happen there anymore, and as a United fan, the players are to blame whenever they give up and are still floundering about and struggling to get top four.

[@PeacockRhino]

£3bn league that can’t help people transition if they don’t make it? Yes no one has a god given right to make it but young lads deserve transition support for 18 months, two years to find a new club or retrain for a new career. A lot have given up their education chasing the dream and deserve help.

[@AB-hu2uw]

You would need 15 pro divisions to get them all a team loool. Tough world mate, can't have everything your way

[@PeacockRhino]

@@AB-hu2uw I said new club or new career. Helping them into college courses to get a trade outside football isn’t too much to ask for clubs paying players £400k a week.

[@rocketdog67ify]

@@PeacockRhino totally agree

[@matthewvaughan8192]

@@PeacockRhino It is if it’s not their responsibility.

[@man4437]

@@matthewvaughan8192 I feel like it should be. People don't treat young athletes as actual people. It's pretty clear in America where a player in basketball or American football is expected to be a freak of nature and focus their entire youth so they can make milllions for colleges without being paid for a chance at the big time where the world is even more cutthroat. Everyone just ignores that in American football, one bad but still legal tackle could cause a career ending injury for a college star and best case scenario, they'll refocus on their school and get a good degree. And if they make it, it doesn't matter that they're causing themselves brain damage in typical plays because "they signed up for it". Like, doesn't it say more about the society that incentivizes particularly poor people to essentially gamble their lives and health for the sake of entertainment and justify it because some of them become multimillionaires and don't end up broke and injured for life. I sort of went off, but that's the kind of thing about sports that's just kind of gross. People act like basic decency is bad or too costly

[@zanetaerland4521]

i can realte soo much holy crap

[@majr72]

In the end people need to understand that its a business first and foremost and you and everyone else are just commodities for the company to make money off of. You are just a number.

[@rahatahmed6188]

It’s just a child’s game anyway

[@itsgionnie]

now Devonte Redmond is playing for wrexham

[@Fysiosainio]

I understand it’s tuff but why don’t they just trynna find a slightly lower level club where they would get a bigger role or even club from abroad? Then grind their asses off. If your passionate about it you will find a way, football is always ups and downs

[@-j308]

Knee injuries are always down though

[@HarryKanee]

Probably the worst feeling in the world you work so hard have to put most of your time away just for this and to get dropped hurts

[@PharmacyAve]

Its far from being the worst feeling in the world mate

[@billybrimble8565]

Start scoring or u will get released soon

[@jimgavin1726]

@@PharmacyAve I would imagine at the time, for the player it most definitely will be.

[@genoric4094]

@@PharmacyAve working hard and putting years into something only for it to disappear in one moment is definitely one of the worst feelings in the world mate

[@tokyoghoul9041]

surely a solid career and an empty trophy cabinet must be an even worse feeling?

[@pendafen7405]

Funny how much animosity there is between Geordies & Mackems, when they are virtually indistinguishable to outsiders of Tyne & Wear.

[@adu9422]

Dude if you were in a prem academy can't you just email agents telling them you got released from a prem club and get a new team? I mean I would think lost agents would take you right on. Ofc the new team won't be as good but it's still something.

[@bratharmstrong1919]

you’re telling me this geezer is not jude bellingham 🤨

[@helmiomar123]

Look at vardy , he made it quite late . Keep ur spirits high man .

[@dannydyer6290]

Listen we have ups and downs that's life sadly. We all have dreams, that never come true. There are other people worse off than yaself. Move on be happy and be kind

[@blankmcblank5532]

It's a massive privilege to make it as a professional footballer. Look at the money they make at the top level, it's crazy. So it makes sense that so many youth players fall through the cracks

[@magicjack4076]

Well Jamie vardy should be an inspiration to everyone who get dropped from academy’s

[@boxoffisa]

Been looking for this comment.

[@gbrl433]

there’s only one jamie vardy out of the tens and thousand that get dropped every year

[@drillingig2368]

@@gbrl433 literally

[@thatsthejobbb8587]

Devonte said he wasn't surprised he got released, would have liked to hear him expand on that.

[@D1Snr]

You get a vibe whether the coaches/staff rate you.

[@Creees]

Why not go somewhere cool and play pro football. Imagine playing in asia and being young other there. Brazilians do that in Japan and other countries in that area. Its an experience to travel

[@nicholasklein8333]

Well done to Crystal Palace... I hope all clubs follow their example

[@gozuam1617]

Its sad and tragic to see your dreams shattered, especially when it is touching distance away. Though on the upside they are still young and have many other options in life ahead of them still.

[@fielazn]

thats why u need a backup plan if pro football dont work out