Dan Crowley

[PeterWithesShin]

We poached Carruthers from Arsenal when he was 16. It happens.

Wanting a statement from the club is a tad OTT.

[cheltenhamlion]

Agreed, although I am somewhat perplexed that someone who doesn't support any club is taking the moral high ground with us?

[Toronto Villa]

I would like the club to make a statement on this issue

You are joking right? None of us have any idea whatsoever whether this player will make it or not. You are a supporter of the club with one of the finest academies in Europe. I will guarantee you that not all of those players came from the Birmingham or local catchment area. We have done this to other clubs all will continue to do so in the future. It's not a big deal and only a fraction of any of these players ever completely fulfil their potential. There have been many young "stars" that never made it. Crowley may well be the exception to that rule, but certainly not something the club should making any kind of statement about.

[ozzjim]

The only thing I would like is more realistic compensation figures. So if a player is poached at 16, then big figures are paid for achievements later down the line up to 5-6 million not an arbitrary 1-2m. It might encourage clubs not to do it so much.

[PaulWinch again]

I personally amazed this thread has made 10 pages, let alone wanting a club statement.

[dave.woodhall]

That club statement in full:

"A 15 year old doesn't want to be in our gang anymore."

[Jenks]

The only thing I would like is more realistic compensation figures. So if a player is poached at 16, then big figures are paid for achievements later down the line up to 5-6 million not an arbitrary 1-2m. It might encourage clubs not to do it so much.

That essentially is the current situation. You get a fixed free for a player based on how long they've been at the club and what category academy the clubs has, then an additional £150k for every 10 Premier League appearances he makes, dropping down to £100k per 10 once he breaks the 60 mark. People slag the EPPP off compensation system off, but after a few seasons these figures will soon start adding up.

Agreed, although I am somewhat perplexed that someone who doesn't support any club is taking the moral high ground with us?

What does one have to do with the other?

[Mazrim]

Mr Crowley. What went on in your head....

[PeterWithesShin]

I still don't see why he would choose to leave by far the best academy in the country. Even more so that he left for the 3rd biggest team in London. Even us and Millwall have looked more likely to win a trophy in recent times than them. I mean seriously, what is the point of Arsenal anymore? Soulless silent stadium filled with plastic, and I don't just mean the seats, never win anything, since RVP left they don't have a single player anyone cares about. Boring boring Arsenal indeed. Boring stadium, boring fans, boring players, boring manager.

[placeforparks]

I would like the club to make a statement on this issue - I mean if we can't hold onto and develop our talent at 15 and in the youth team - what chance do we have holding them when they are 22 and just had a stellar season in the first team?

Arsenal like poaching young talent and I fear a brown paper bag may have changed hands.  Bribery never - inducements - benefits - expenses - of course.  Villa need to stand up here and fight - or what happens to our club when other lazy vultures start circling?

Tell us what is going on Villa - we need to keep our best talent.

errr, we poach young talent before they sign terms at the age of 16 as well. all clubs do it. we're talking about kids here, the law is there to protect them regardless if they play football or not.

it's a shame the lad has gone elsewhere, but i think it's obvious why they would appeal to him. fabregas joined arsenal at 16 as well, wilshere came through the ranks. 2 players i imagine he is trying to emulate.

if this wasn't getting press coverage, no one would give a shit. happens all the time. he may go onto be a brilliant player, he may join the likes of dean parrett, michael woods and tom taiwo. teenagers who were hyped up, attracted bitter disputes over compensation and ultimately ended up doing fuck all in the lower leagues.

[ozzjim]

The only thing I would like is more realistic compensation figures. So if a player is poached at 16, then big figures are paid for achievements later down the line up to 5-6 million not an arbitrary 1-2m. It might encourage clubs not to do it so much.

That essentially is the current situation. You get a fixed free for a player based on how long they've been at the club and what category academy the clubs has, then an additional £150k for every 10 Premier League appearances he makes, dropping down to £100k per 10 once he breaks the 60 mark. People slag the EPPP off compensation system off, but after a few seasons these figures will soon start adding up.

Agreed, although I am somewhat perplexed that someone who doesn't support any club is taking the moral high ground with us?

What does one have to do with the other?

And lets say he is the next Wilshire, and leaves for 30 million at 22. What do the club he has been engineered away from get of that?

Any young player going to arsenal needs to look at that Merida lad that all and sundry said was going to be better than Fabregas. Where is he now?

[Jenks]

Why look at Merida and not Fabregas himself? He left La Masia, probably the best academy in the world, and it hardly hurt his career. There's only so much an academy can do, much is up to the player. Crowley by all accounts has massive potential, and it's largely up to him to fulfil it. As for the money issues, well personally I think the rights of the matter should favour the child, not the club. In no other industry would it even be thinkable that kids should be bought and sold like commodities, let alone tolerated. You could argue that another club has bribed him, you could argue that Villa haven't done enough to make him feel like he's better off staying, but either way if it's a mistake then it should be his mistake to make.

[peter w]

Why is la masia the best academy in the world? because they were lucky enough to have the same talent all coming through (roughly) at the same time. that's the players not the academy. And luck.

[ClaretAndBlueBlood]

Why look at Merida and not Fabregas himself? He left La Masia, probably the best academy in the world, and it hardly hurt his career. There's only so much an academy can do, much is up to the player. Crowley by all accounts has massive potential, and it's largely up to him to fulfil it. As for the money issues, well personally I think the rights of the matter should favour the child, not the club. In no other industry would it even be thinkable that kids should be bought and sold like commodities, let alone tolerated. You could argue that another club has bribed him, you could argue that Villa haven't done enough to make him feel like he's better off staying, but either way if it's a mistake then it should be his mistake to make.

totally agree with that

[ClaretAndBlueBlood]

Why is la masia the best academy in the world? because they were lucky enough to have the same talent all coming through (roughly) at the same time. that's the players not the academy. And luck.

you are joking right?