By Mark Heys
March 27 2006

Bolton manager Sam Allardyce has voiced his disappointment over the fact that the club has failed to invest in youth development down the years. The likes of Kevin Nolan, Nicky Hunt, Joey O'Brien and Ricardo Vaz-Te have all come through the club's ranks over the last few years but Allardyce is calling for more investment in finding the stars of the future.

"Investment can make all the difference and if you have Jack Walker or Roman Abramovich money you can change the course of a club almost overnight," said Allardyce.

"The rest of us have to wait longer. I am six years into a 10-year plan at Bolton and though I am happy with most of the things we have achieved, I am disappointed we have not invested enough in our academy.

"Managers come and go, but a well-functioning youth system is a legacy that can serve the club and its area for decades."

Meanwhile, a number of residents are opposed to the proposed building of a new multi-purpose youth academy development in Horwich.