Breaking News Thompson OFFICIAL signs!

[chapperzUK]

Think we do need to build links with other local bigger clubs. I heard that you've had to change your academy status down to category 3. Is that true?

 

[Seedy Nigel]

Think we do need to build links with other local bigger clubs. I heard that you've had to change your academy status down to category 3. Is that true?

Without going into too much detail about Watford on a Southend Utd forum... :blush:

....what you heard is partially true but the Academy was never actually 'downgraded'. What happened was, the powers that be at the FA totally overhauled the entire academy grading systems across the country into categories (1,2,3). To be in the elite of Category 1, it would cost the club at least £2,000,000 a year for the privilege on top of other costs, and even then there is nothing whatsoever to protect you from another club coming along and stealing your talent for 'nowt. The new EPPP compensation system has yet to be launched, so many clubs continue to be locked up in costly tribunals with each other when a young player is nabbed by someone else. For that reason, and many others it made no financial sense for Watford (a club that is still managing a large debt from previous bad management and owners) to make their academy Category 1 or 2 because they can still operate un-hindered in the same way they always have done so, but at a fraction of the cost :thumbsup:

 

[chapperzUK]

Fair enough, there was a discussion on another thread about EPPP with the main problem being the compensation.

I thought it was impossible for a category 1 to take from another category 1 until I think it was Liverpool went and took a player from someone else's (can't remember the club) for around £400k.

In fact this is a very good article on it - http://whitehouseaddress.blogspot.co.uk/2013/12/the-way-forward-pros-cons-of-eppp.html

Basically says that EPPP is a step in the right direction to what was originally in place, but still flawed with room for improvement. I wouldn't be surprised to see top Premiership sides try and get 'B' teams to enter the leagues.

Is there a new compensation system on the way? Sorry if I read that wrong but it would be brilliant if that were true!

 

[londonblue]

I reckon the fee is very very minimal, maybe even £0 - reason for that being simply this; Watford fans are very proud of our Academy at Harewood and over-protective of its graduates. Many do not take it very well when we let talent go on the cheap that we produced - when we sold Assombalonga it caused a bit of a stir because we felt that he deserved a go in the first team and in time could have commanded a higher fee. IF the fee was £0 and Watford fans knew, then that would put some negative heat on the club that we got nothing for a bright prospect. By keeping the fee "un-disclosed" - 99% of fans will assume the club got something for Thompson and shrug it off.

Just my opinion of course - I stand to be corrected if anyone has any 'insider' info..

Anyway - Thompson, great guy, great versatile player and he really loves Southend - you can see his passion in his Blues Player Interview. Not many full internationals in League 2 either! I will be coming to watch you again when I can at least a couple more times this season and cheer the Blues on to promotion hopefully!:clap::clap::clap::clap::clap::clap:

What you're missing in all of that is that our deals are (nearly) always for undisclosed fees. Ron Martin likes to play his cards close to his chest.

 

[Seedy Nigel]

What you're missing in all of that is that our deals are (nearly) always for undisclosed fees. Ron Martin likes to play his cards close to his chest.

So I've heard... that reminds me, what happened to the Eastwood money??? :winking:

 

[londonblue]

So I've heard... that reminds me, what happened to the Eastwood money??? :winking:

It's very close to Ron's Chest.

 

[Rattus Norvegicus]

True Facts.

Errrhhh ......... by definition, all facts are true. :stunned: