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Francis Okoronkwo Now Official

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Shame for us, but at the end of the day there really isn't much we could have done to stop him. He wasn't old enough to sign a contract with us and Everton have swooped in and lured him in before we could tie him down to one.

Good thing that it seems like we have got a really good compensation package for him though that can be reinvested into the club.

Bare no ill will to the lad and hope he has a half decent career out of it. Can't fault him for wanting to join a higher class academy with higher class players and coaches to work with daily.
 
Good luck to the lad.

SAFC will always have a tough time persuading young lads to stay as long as we are in this crappy division when PL clubs come knocking.

At least it appears the club are making an effort to convince them to stay now, instead of simply seeing £££ signs and pushing them out of the door under the previous ownership.
 
It's going to take a while to convince the young players that staying here is the best thing for them after the last few years of rushing them out of the door as soon as an offer comes in.
 
Ashley In!! said:
It's going to take a while to convince the young players that staying here is the best thing for them after the last few years of rushing them out of the door as soon as an offer comes in.
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I think it shows the kids and the parents we won’t try and hinder their careers. It’s not their fault we’re so low in the pecking order. Letting them peruse a career without much complaining means we’re a decent club and should be seen as just that
 
Ashley In!! said:
It's going to take a while to convince the young players that staying here is the best thing for them after the last few years of rushing them out of the door as soon as an offer comes in.
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Only way we can do it is by trying to get them minute on the pitch as 17-18 year olds and get a reputation as a club who gives kids a chance. Not always easy but the likes of Southampton did it.
 
Ashley In!! said:
My post literally explains it. Your inability to read means you can have a dislike.
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It's naive to say the least then. I've been saying for a long time that League One clubs can't compete with Premier League clubs when it comes to retaining their young players, regardless of what ownership is in place and this has now vindicated my argument. You can have another disagree yourself.

Good luck to him and I hope he does well, as I've said for all the young lads who have departed us. He may find that the grass isn't always greener, as others have found, and he may regret it looking at how Dan Neil has flourished.
 
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