Our Premier Under 18 Academy Team

[Lineker's Left Foot]

After beating the Chavs 5-0 last weekend, I was looking forward to 'winding up' one of my customers' - whose son plays for them - about the result. However, he says that the only reason this occurred was because we were playing third year scholars and they had lots of youngsters out there - to the extent he thought we were breaking the rules by playing older players. I'm sure that we too were only playing under 18s and was wondering if anybody, probably Thracian, could clarify whether my customer is correct in what he says??

[Fez of Mahrez]

I highly doubt we are breaking any rules - the Academy is a tightly-run ship - but some players have been playing for quite a while now so it's likely they're a lot older than most at that level. Particularly Cian Bolger and Nathan Hicks.

There are quite a few that are too old for the Academy now who were first choice when available last year though - Parkes, Ambrusics, Milnes, Chamberlain, Craig King I think.

Results are almost irrelevant at that level though. It's strange - our club seems to foster a great team spirit among the U18s but the main thing is getting your best players through into the first team, which is a far more individual thing.

[Thracian]

After beating the Chavs 5-0 last weekend, I was looking forward to 'winding up' one of my customers' - whose son plays for them - about the result. However, he says that the only reason this occurred was because we were playing third year scholars and they had lots of youngsters out there - to the extent he thought we were breaking the rules by playing older players. I'm sure that we too were only playing under 18s and was wondering if anybody, probably Thracian, could clarify whether my customer is correct in what he says??

There is no chance Academy director Jon Rudkin would be breaking the rules. the guy has been running our Academy for years, with great success, and seems to be right on top of the job. Under 18 football is always cyclical in terms of age and experience and our lack of a regular reserves side will mean all our qualified youngsters being available for all the matches barring injury, international duries and one-off situations.

Fez is quite right that Rudkin often stresses that results are not paramount in youth football but the Leicester Academy players are aware of the reputation they have to uphold and some previous results against Coventry would have hurt. I'm sure everyone will have been keen to make a point. It's also pointed out that City have some highly talented younger players who are making an impression at under 18 level so I don't think your friend can take any comfort from the birthdates.

City remain a formidable youth set-up. Again, as Fez touched on, the spirit within the side is "all for one, one for all" and quite exceptional in my experience. As each season progresses they really do attack as one and defend as one and the achievements of previous Academy sides only serve as a benchmark and as an incentive for whoever follows.

As for your customer, any team can only beat the opposition placed in front of them. So if Coventry had a young team and Leicester their best team it doesn't matter at all. I don't remember Leicester making any excuses when they've been beaten. And, for me, 5-0 is not just a win. It's a statement. As is the current league table which shows exactly how the two teams rate right now.

http://www.lcfc.com/page/Academy/0,,10274~2111291,00.html

[broughtonblue]

When and where do the academy play, are public allowed to watch

[Thracian]

When and where do the academy play, are public allowed to watch

Home games are at Belvoir Drive on a Saturday morning and yes, the public are welcome.

[Father Ted]

He's full of crap.

[Bugg]

Sounds like a sore loser to me.