By theimps.tk
April 5 2009

Kern Miller made his debut at Accrington and became the fourteenth youngster to make their first team debuts in recent years. One went to Liverpool, one has gone to Peterborough and another has been scouted by Wolverhampton, but not all have been good players capable of staying in the Football League.

Lee Frecklington has arguably been the best product of the youth system so far. Having burst onto the scene towards the end of the reign of Keith Alexander, he became a first team regular under Schofield. Stunning goals followed, including long range stunners against MK Dons, amongst others. Under Jackson he really failed to inspire though, often putting in performances where you'd have been forgiven for not noticing that he was there.

Frecklington's progression through the youth system and into the first team can be considered a success, especially after scoring 23 goals in 141 appearances. Now as he is set to move to Peterborough United on a permanent basis during the summer months and have the type of career that he has got the potential to have.

Adam Kerley was next on the conveyor belt, but he was less of a success. He was scoring for fun in the reserves and was tipped to have huge success, but there were strong rumours that Keith didn't like him and much like Frecklington twelve months earlier, he made his debut in the then named LDV Vans Trophy against Doncaster, however, he played just once more after that and can't really be called a success due to this, not that he was given a chance though.

A few months later and another striker who had scored for fun in the reserves came into the eyes of the first team. Making his debut against Hartlepool United in the FA Cup, few would have predicted that Oliver Ryan would fail to score a single goal in his 41 games for the club. It wasn't for the lack of trying and you always had the feeling that he just needed that one goal to get going, but he never got it and it surprised few that he was released and will almost inevitably be put in the flop category.

If minutes on the pitch were converted into money then Jack Hobbs' minutes for the Imps were literally in the six figure category. He came on for a three minute cameo appearance against Bristol Rovers in the 2004/5 season and that was it as far as his City career as he left City for Liverpool soon afterwards, for fees that are reported to be between the figures of £500,000 and £750,000. Overall, it's hard to really call him a flop, but you can't realistically call him successful in the City team either.

Then came the flop of all flops. Tom Wilkinson came on as a substitute at Carlisle in 2005/6 and subsequently failed to touch the ball in more than 20 minutes of playing.  That was his one and only appearance.

The FA Cup again proved to be the starting place of a striker's career with City. John-Lewis came on as a substitute at Port Vale in the FA Cup in 2006 and subsequently failed to trouble the goalkeeper. Nothing much changed when he eventually became a regular in the first team and despite scoring 8 goals, he has played 53 games for City and has failed to impress on many, many occasions, often missing open goals.

Talking of players who fail to impress, Owain Warlow made his debut against Torquay United in 2007. He looked decent in his first few appearances but then came the moment a lot of people turned against him. Against Mansfield he was running after the ball, but ran out of energy after mere seconds, that despite coming on just minutes earlier as a sub. Not a bad crosser of the ball, but otherwise Warlow is definitely a flop and he hasn't even made the bench this season.

The best season for a long time with regards to youngster breaking into the first team was 2007/8, with a very respectable six coming up through the ranks, however, it didn't start well. Phil Watt was a surprise inclusion on the first day and looked completely out of his depth as Shrewsbury hit four past the Imps. He again came on against Nottingham Forest, but they were his only appearances for City and most will fail to remember anything positive about him.

In came Peter Jackson and after Lee Beevers got injured in Jackson's first game, being replaced by Danny Hone. The defender impressed immediately and has rarely put in a bad performance for City. After Frecklington, I would rate him as the best product of the system so far. In 42 appearances for the club to date, he has established himself as a regular in the defence and has been scouted by clubs such as Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Shane Clarke had been the captain of the reserves side that had won the Pontin's Holiday League Cup. He came into the first team and had a torrid first season after making his debut at Rochdale. However, this season he has been the most improved player by a country mile and is fairly consistent.

A few weeks later and Gary King became the next youngster to make his debut. His has never really looked like scoring, although he was credited with what was clearly an own goal by Brentford's Simon Brown. He can't be considered a success yet as he hasn't really done anything.

Speaking of players who haven't done anything, Martin Pembleton made his debut against Hereford last season and despite rarely touching the ball, he was praised by a lot of City fans. He hasn't played this season and was sent out to Lincoln United and will inevitably be released in the summer, falling into the flop category.

The last action Alan Marriott ever did in a Lincoln City shirt was to go off and be substituted by Ayden Duffy. The young goalkeeper has so far made six appearances for City and has generally stood still as goals sailed beyond him. He may still have a bright future, but will literally have to move to get it.

City's youth team conveyor belt

Discussion started by theimps.tk (IP Logged), 05/04/2009 13:23

theimps.tk
05/04/2009 13:23

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Kate Jackson
05/04/2009 13:24

I don't think I've missed anyone out.

Good Luck, Mr Gorsky

http://twitter.com/#!/katejackson84
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davidimp
05/04/2009 14:34

The club have to be applauded for continuing with the youth policy.
It would appear the likes of Roberts, Adams and Hutchinson aren't far from getting in the first team squad.
Hopefully the inclusion of the youngsters will make the more senior players up their game as well as Jacko certainly isnt afraid to throw them into to first team if the more established pros are perfroming.
Dont think you've missed anyone Nathan although I did think of Leon Mettam who scored on debut at Barnet but then pressed the sef destruct button a bit like Pembleton.

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Mofo Imp
05/04/2009 19:37

Er, what about Scott Loach? Two England under21 caps, and getting rave reviews at Watford. Think he will make us some decent money, presuming we have a sell on clause.

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davidimp
05/04/2009 20:36

Scott Loach never played for the first team the others did.
I think that is jist of Nathan's article?
Only the ones who have played for the first team, but a good spot none the less.
All these good young players does make me hopeful for the future of the club.

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