Could anyone give me some help with some stats?

[Alan Young]

A friend of mine's son is currently attached to an academy. He, although still young, appears sure he is going to become a star. Consequently he is starting to tail off in his schoolwork. I would like to be able to give my friend some help by finding out some stats, in the last ten years, regarding:

• The proportion/number of academy players that are offered a scholarship
  
• The proportion of those that earned a professional contract
  
• The proportion that have played for the first team
  

Sorry i know it's a big ask, but I would really appreciate it if anyone could help. If anyone knows where to find the stats I would be happy to research them myself.

Thanks

[Bilbo]

Sorry I can't help with the stats, however i do know around half a dozen mates who have played for academies/ reserve teams for a range of clubs including Aston Villa, Forest and Leicester. Not one of them ever made it and all of them neglected school work and they all say they wish they had got at least some qualifications behind them. The competition is extremely tough and if your friend's son is lucky enough to make the first team then getting an injury is also a risk.

Showing the kid stats however may be a bit disheartening and explaining that getting at least some qualifications along the way as a safety net is probably the best option.

[Fox92]

I had several friends that were attached to football clubs. All from school. One was at Derby, two at Rotherham and two at Sheffield Wednesday.

Only one has become professional. He now is a regular at Sheffield Wednesday, and even scored his first goal against MK Dons earlier in the season.

I do not know the stats, but I can say now that school work also counts. I would make sure he keeps on track at school. Even if he isn't as clever as others, make sure he doesn't become a negative pupil. It can affect the footballing side of it all.

[Guest parky0607]

show him Bruno Berners blog, he discusses the importance of having other things to fall back on, even as a pro...

[JadeFalcon]

maybe a longshot, you could try OPTA http://www.optasport...s/football.html

they do all the stats and stuff for everything football

to be more specific http://www.optasports.com/enquiry.html

[Bert]

Just look at the down fall of porter for a great example.

[Jace]

Wayne Rooney was predicted 5x A* in his GCSEs before he started playing football

[UpTheLeagueFox]

Wayne Rooney was predicted 5x A* in his GCSEs before he started playing football

Save that one for the *Joke* thread mate

[Bayfox]

Can't say stats wise, but 4 lads in my year, 2 midfielders at Leicester 1 striker who left city to go to the F-word and 1 keeper at Sheff Utd none of them made it, infact the lad who was the best player @ F-word fell out of love with the game full stop got a job in a factory and took up boxing instead, there were also 2 lads in the year below 1 has been playing for the likes of barwell and quorn etc for years with his younger brother, all did YTS at the time and not one made a 1st team squad.

It's a tough call, but obviously the chance of earning mega money for something you love is a big factor, but if you can keep his head in school as well it may help.

By the way, 6 of the above had finished runners up at Wembley in the Smiths Crisps Cup by the age of 11. Not bad for a little village in Leicester, but none made the big time. Shame.

[crisp packet]

Late kick off last night was on about brums academy last night may help?? ( bbci player).

Think they are covering it for nxt three weeks ...

[jamesmilner]

98% of academy players do not reach professional football . fact .