Lament for lost youth

The development of young talent has provided the lifeblood to the club these last few years and measures to widen the network of scouts and schemes have been stepped up.

But the battle for the art and skill of tomorrow's stars is inflicting wounds upon the Minstermen as was disclosed during this week's first fans' forum.

The meeting was given the example of former City Centre of Excellence product Curtis Woodhouse, now starring for Sheffield United and a member of the England under-18s' squad.

The Driffield-born midfielder had started out at City's centre of excellence in 1993. But when he reached the age of 14 under then FA rules there was a 'window' allowing other clubs to sign him. It is a window that is causing genuine pain to City.

Sheffield United stepped in and Woodhouse joined them, with City awarded £2,200 in compensation. Currently City are seeking a greater cash reward.

But the Woodhouse case is not the lone example of city losing out in the talent drain. Club secretary Keith Usher said the Minstermen had lost six players in similar circumstances, including two presently at Premiership Nottingham Forest.

City's redress from all six has been around £7,000. That's a fee that would not tempt many a Premiership player to don his boots, yet it supposedly compensates City for grooming half-a-dozen potential footballers.

In a bid to redress the balance clubs are now able to sign youngsters on lengthier contracts, say from 12-years-old to 16, instead of the previous 14 barrier when the infamous 'window' afforded an opening to higher-based clubs.

But again youngsters do not have to sign and will inevitably gravitate towards the bigger clubs. There, only a small minority will succeed. Those discarded may not fancy a drop down the leagues or potential clubs would not be able to afford them.

Small wonder that many smaller clubs can expect to be swallowed up in the dog- eat-dog world of modern-day football is.

IT'S good to talk was the general consensus of City's first foray into fans' forums.

The gathering at Queen Anne's School drew a healthy attendance of 200 or so supporters, who fired questions at a panel of club directors, manager Alan Little and secretary Keith Usher.

At times the meeting simmered towards potential boiling-points, but each time stayed at a simmer. It was neither fiery, nor stormy, but nonetheless it was passionate, demonstrating that City fans care fervently about the fortunes of their club, which have given little cause for celebration these past few seasons.

By the end of the two-hour meeting - signalled quaintly by the school bell - there was a feeling that the talking-shop, to be repeated, had been a valuable exercise. More forums are planned.

But it needs to be more than just a vehicle for listening. Both sides have to take on board the points they made. The delicate cash balancing act walked by the club has so far been negotiated sure-footedly.

Yet directors should remember that while they have large share-holdings in the club each and every fan is also an investor. They too invest their cash - season-tickets over year upon year do not come cheap - as well as time and, most important, their yearning for City to succeed.

There is a rift between both camps. The forum has gone some way to bridging that gap, but the gulf is far from straddled.

THERE were several moments of humour in the forum and one of the funniest exchanges revolved around the merits of blunt-speaking.

Chairman Douglas Craig said: "Yorkshire people pride themselves on being blunt, but they do have problems when a Scotsman is blunt to them in reply."

That drew an aside from someone in the audience: "So, it's our fault then." Definitely a score-draw.

WHAT a season for goalkeeper Andy Warrington. Cruelly slammed by his own fans two games - both defeats - into the new season, Warrington was replaced by Bobby Mimms.

Then, when he bounces back to the number one position in an unbroken six-game run Warrington celebrates being in a winning side for the first time this season when crack, he suffers a triple fracture of his right hand in the FA Cup conquest of Enfield. Now he faces being out of contention well into 1999.

ONE of the best comebacks of the season was enjoyed by young central defender Martin Reed.

The 20-year-old, who tackles with the crack of a whip, starred in City's 1-1 draw with Northampton a week ago. It was his first full start since the opening day of the season.

Former City lynchpin John Sharples, whose career was sadly curtailed by injury, was well impressed. Watching the game Sharples said: "Reedy was superb. He never put a foot wrong. There was no other contender for man of the match."

ANOTHER visitor to Bootham Crescent was top-flight referee Jeff Winter.

The Stockton-on-Tees official was taking a busman's holiday to watch his pal Graham Frankland officiate at City's fixture a day before Winter's middle ground duties in the Premiership game between Liverpool and Blackburn.

Former City manager John Ward is keeping his hand in. A month after his departure from Bristol City, whom he led into the First Division last term, Ward accepted an invitation to put on a training session at new Football Conference leaders Cheltenham.

Said Cheltenham manager Steve Cotterill: "John came in and put a session on and thoroughly enjoyed it. It was good for the players to hear a different voice and it broke the monotony of them listening to me."

Quite apt too for Ward to take a session at the Whaddon Road club. After all, they are nicknamed the Robins as are his former employers at Bristol City.

THE magic of Disney can be testified to by City fan Graham Bradbury.

Away on holiday in America he was desperately searching out every newspaper and television station in Florida to discover how City fared in the FA Cup first round opener away to Enfield.

As despair was about to set in a trip to the Disney organisation's Epcot World provided the high-tech solution. There was free use of the Internet and Bradbury was able to log on to learn City had bagged a 2-2 draw.

CITY'S Intermediates' game at home to Halifax Town has been re-arranged for Tuesday, December 8, kick-off 12 noon at the club's Wigginton Road training ground.

TICKETS are available from the club shop for the Junior Reds' Christmas party at the social club on December 21 from 12noon to 2pm. There will be games and a disco and City players will attend the festivities.

PLACES are still open in the Football In the Community Christmas 'Fun-day' at York's Sixth Form College. Costing £10 per child the Fun-day will be run on December 22 from 10am to 3pm. Details from FITC liaison officer Paul Olsson on York 613017.

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