Quote: Bullseye "I'd love to see in detail the reasons given why we were turned down. It might be that we've not been keeping to our previously high standards? If so it'd be very interesting to hear why. Or it could be that the criteria were rigged from the start to exclude certain clubs? Perhaps someone could provide a link to past and current criteria so we could compare?'"
Think it's telling they isn't any defined criteria. And some idiots want to being licensing back. Reading Cas's reasons, apparently they haven't produced enough first team players for their geographical area. That reason can't apply to us.
We have probably brought more players through than most.
We're the only team in a big city.
The facilities are some of the best in the country.
I honestly can't see what we fail on.
Its quite simply politics and money. It looks like we've missed out due to them only wanting two championship clubs and then wanting Newcastle & London due to their location. I understand the long term plan with Newcastle but there's very few Geordies knocking around in the 3 top leagues at the moment. You don't sacrifice one of your most succeasful pathways with 90+ players on the system for it. You find extra funding for that long term project.
As I said it's telling there isn't set criteria as its obvious we score highly than others who have a license.
I don't want to go comparing to other clubs as it most creates petty arguments and to be fair I think most fans are shocked thier reducing the academy numbers.
