City and bringing on players from lower divisions

[Carver]

Asa Hartford (West Brom, Div 2), Dennis Tueart & Dave Watson (Sunderland, Div 2) weren't too shabby were they?

 

[teddykgb]

I am not sure there are many British players in the lower leagues that are the right calibre nowadays, the FA needs to get a shift on in sorting out the coaching methods in this country

Anyone and everyone associated with that Belgian setup should be imported. Otherwise, they should be kidnapped.

 

[law74]

I am not sure there are many British players in the lower leagues that are the right calibre nowadays, the FA needs to get a shift on in sorting out the coaching methods in this country

But we dont need players with good skills and ability, what we need a big strapping kids that can run all day.
That is why the British nations are doing so well at international level.

 

[Mad Eyed Screamer]

Stuart Lee from Stockport
Paul Sugrue from Nuneaton Borough

 

[isab23502]

Stuart Lee from Stockport
Paul Sugrue from Nuneaton Borough

Yes - I think Mal did have a try when he had spent all the money!
Soon lost patience with these two new toys though.

 

[Big Swifty]

You forgot the great Bobby Shinton

 

[Denis Law's Backheel]

Back in the 70's - United and Liverpool seemed to be capable of scouting-up and bringing on some quality from the lower divisions (United with Pearson (Hull), Hill (Brentford), Coppell (Tranmere), (various jocks and Irish) and Liverpool with the likes of Keegan (Scunny), Neal (Northampton), Clemence (scunny)) - whereas City seemingly just put there own reserves/ youth team in and topped up with a few top-of-the-range buys.
Have we ever successfully bought-in players from the lower leagues? Any particular players or periods (in the last 40 years or so)? If not - any particular reason?

I think that your memory may be a little clouded with regard to the devilworshipper's signings mate. Pearson, Hill & Coppell yes were playing in the lower division but they were already on the radar and they all cost big money at the time. I think Pearson cost £200k which would now equate to about £30 million! I don't think that the transfer record was much more than £200k at that time.

We signed Tueart, Watson & Horswill from Sunderland and they were in the 2nd division at that time.

 

[I'm no cynic but...]

You forgot the great Bobby Shinton

Also Frank Carrodus and Jimmy Mundy. None would ever match the great Barry Conlan though!

 

[Oystercatcher28]

footy in lower leagues has changed - for me a way forward would be a partnership scheme, where PL clubs have to assist 2 or 3 lower league clubs for a minimum of 3-4 seasons (unless said team reaches PL/Championship). It'd boost the national pool, and I'm sure with contract clauses of players there could be a substantial sell-on, or re-sell-on clause to stop PL clubs poaching each other's assisted feeder club players etc.

 

[cleavers]

I am not sure there are many British players in the lower leagues that are the right calibre nowadays, the FA needs to get a shift on in sorting out the coaching methods in this country

But we dont need players with good skills and ability, what we need a big strapping kids that can run all day.
That is why the British nations are doing so well at international level.

Both posts sum the situation up.

We've done OK in the past, I'd like to think we'll do OK in the future too, though I'd sooner we develop players for ourselves and not for or from others.