Quote: Him "I don’t get this argument, how could Toronto have Canadian players of the right standard yet?
They played Batley the other week, who had no homegrown players either yet there was no criticism of them?'"
Perhaps I should ask when Toronto will be in a position to field ANY "local" players ??
Batley have "produced" players that have gone on to play SL, indeed, there are some still playing
It is highly unlikely that with the way Toronto have been formed and planted like a tree in a desert, that they will be in a position to develop any of their own players.
They certainly missed an opportunity in League 1, where they could have played some rookies as they were smashing every side in their path but, that boat has now sailed and assuming that they gain promotion, which should be a formality with their huge spend on overseas players, this will make having any home grown talent even less likley.
Some people see the likes of Tronoto as a blueprint for the future of the game but, the reality is that they are UTTERLY reliant on other clubs doing the hard yards for them, without being in a position to put ANY players back into the game.
Some would dismantle half of SL and wish for clubs in New York, Paris, Toronto, Denver etc without them having any organic roots which, far from expanding the game, I personally believe that it could completely destroy it.
Having said that, Toronto have shown the way as regards marketing and promoting the game and "we" could desperately do with people of that calibre market the game and they (Toronto) have generated some exposure, which is desperately needed but, really, what is the plan long term, assuming that there actually is a plan ?