Youth and academy players from the dark years (93/94-97/98)

[Oystercatcher28]

Today's youth players have it tough breaking through - but they have stability, backing and structure. Unlike the Youth and academy players from the dark years (93/94-97/98) who started out at City in an era when the Premier League was rapidly developing.

I see Dave Morley has signed for Penycae nearby Wrexham.

http://welsh-premier.com/index.php/...6554-ex-wpl-defender-morley-signs-for-penycae

I remember him being promising but unable to break past the large first team squad we had assembled back in the 96/97 to 97/98 season.
He was essentially the Ben Mee of his generation, and I remember him being in a reserve squad around the time City youth featuring Shaun Wright-Phillips played Rhyl FC away.

The point of my post is simply - it is good to see our ex-academy/youth players playing today.

I remember the name Mike Quigley being in our reserves for 5/6 seasons but barely playing for the first XI - although I think he was a senior player. He is at Chorley FC as Assistant Manager now.

Blackley born defender John Foster? He went to Hyde via a stint at Bury and Carlisle.

Chris Greenacre is assistant manager at Wellington Phoenix in New Zealand. After departing City his record wasn't bad.

Whilst Jeff Whitley didn't do bad in getting a run at City, Jim Whitley found chances limited in 8 years at City. Following his retirement at Wrexham in 2006, Whitley instead began performing as a singer and dancer in stage shows, appearing in productions called Christmas Crooners and The Rat Pack's Back, taking the roles of Nat King Cole and Sammy Davis, Jr. in the respective shows.

Ray Kelly went on to be a pilot, not long after leaving City for a stint in Eire for FAI, Bohemians.

Nick Fenton is now playing at Alferton Town now. He played in the 98/99 season's 7–1 English League Cup victory over Notts County at Maine Road.

Who else is still playing from that era that never broke through?

 

[Blue Streak]

Re: Youth and academy players from the dark years (93/94-97/

John Fosters a copper now. I remember reading an interview with him saying he was on duty at the swamp for the sickswan.

 

[IOWBlue]

Re: Youth and academy players from the dark years (93/94-97/

i thought Nick Fenton played a few seasons FOR Notts County.

 

[IOWBlue]

Re: Youth and academy players from the dark years (93/94-97/

Another young lad was paraded before a home game, a Canadian, dont think he did anything, but was being hailed as the best prospect for a long time.

 

[Mad Eyed Screamer]

Re: Youth and academy players from the dark years (93/94-97/

Another young lad was paraded before a home game, a Canadian, dont think he did anything, but wafirs being hailed as the best prospect for a long time.

Terry Dunfield. Got on the pitch as a 14 year old or something with Franny Lee.
Played one game against Chelsea 2001 last game of the season. Ended up at Bury and Macc.
Last year I went to see New England Revolution v Toronto FC and half way through the first half I saw this player with 'Dunfield' on his back and asked someone with a programme if it was Terry Dunfield and it was the very same!

Also think about youth team players around that time like Chris Sukar (Tranmere??) , Leon Mike (went to Aberdeen),
Gary Mason (Dunfirmline) Rhys Day

 

[Mad Eyed Screamer]

Re: Youth and academy players from the dark years (93/94-97/

i thought Nick Fenton played a few seasons FOR Notts County.

He did, but he also played for us in the 7-1 League cup game.

What became of his twin brother?

 

[Oystercatcher28]

Re: Youth and academy players from the dark years (93/94-97/

i thought Nick Fenton played a few seasons FOR Notts County.

He did, but he also played for us in the 7-1 League cup game.

What became of his twin brother?

Anthony Fenton (born 23/11/1979) played at Newtown in 01/02 to 03/04 joining Bangor City in the season between this.
After City he had a stint at Portsmouth, 04 Mar, 99 - 10 May, 00 - he played once as a sub there.
Redbridge signed him from 01 Jul, 04 - 24 Mar, 05.
He played about 8 games at Farnborough Town from then on.
This looks like him:
https://www.linkedin.com/pub/anthony-fenton/2/201/a14

 

[njmcfc1894]

Re: Youth and academy players from the dark years (93/94-97/

Jim Bentley out of the Youth Team 1994(??) is now manager of Morecombe

 

[Deepest Blue]

Re: Youth and academy players from the dark years (93/94-97/

Another young lad was paraded before a home game, a Canadian, dont think he did anything, but wafirs being hailed as the best prospect for a long time.

Terry Dunfield. Got on the pitch as a 14 year old or something with Franny Lee.
Played one game against Chelsea 2001 last game of the season. Ended up at Bury and Macc.
Last year I went to see New England Revolution v Toronto FC and half way through the first half I saw this player with 'Dunfield' on his back and asked someone with a programme if it was Terry Dunfield and it was the very same!

Also think about youth team players around that time like Chris Sukar (Tranmere??) , Leon Mike (went to Aberdeen),
Gary Mason (Dunfirmline) Rhys Day

Terry Dunfield recently played for Ross County against Celtic with Guidetti and Denayer featuring for the Bhoys.

 

[noely]

Re: Youth and academy players from the dark years (93/94-97/

Today's youth players have it tough breaking through - but they have stability, backing and structure. Unlike the Youth and academy players from the dark years (93/94-97/98) who started out at City in an era when the Premier League was rapidly developing.

I see Dave Morley has signed for Penycae nearby Wrexham.

http://welsh-premier.com/index.php/...6554-ex-wpl-defender-morley-signs-for-penycae

I remember him being promising but unable to break past the large first team squad we had assembled back in the 96/97 to 97/98 season.
He was essentially the Ben Mee of his generation, and I remember him being in a reserve squad around the time City youth featuring Shaun Wright-Phillips played Rhyl FC away.

The point of my post is simply - it is good to see our ex-academy/youth players playing today.

I remember the name Mike Quigley being in our reserves for 5/6 seasons but barely playing for the first XI - although I think he was a senior player. He is at Chorley FC as Assistant Manager now.

Blackley born defender John Foster? He went to Hyde via a stint at Bury and Carlisle.

Chris Greenacre is assistant manager at Wellington Phoenix in New Zealand. After departing City his record wasn't bad.

Whilst Jeff Whitley didn't do bad in getting a run at City, Jim Whitley found chances limited in 8 years at City. Following his retirement at Wrexham in 2006, Whitley instead began performing as a singer and dancer in stage shows, appearing in productions called Christmas Crooners and The Rat Pack's Back, taking the roles of Nat King Cole and Sammy Davis, Jr. in the respective shows.

Ray Kelly went on to be a pilot, not long after leaving City for a stint in Eire for FAI, Bohemians.

Nick Fenton is now playing at Alferton Town now. He played in the 98/99 season's 7–1 English League Cup victory over Notts County at Maine Road.

Who else is still playing from that era that never broke through?

Opposite the entrance of Platt Lane on Yew tree road there is a green telephone wire box and around 1996 it had the following grafiti on it

'Chris Greenacre was here'