The United nations give hope for the future

Jan 21 2009 by Stuart Rayner, The Journal

Heard the one about the Hungarian, the Swede, the Italian, the Frenchman, the Dutchman and the Slovenian? Newcastle’s academy is going international but its head, Richard Money, tells Stuart Rayner local talent will always be the priority

IT says much about the Premier League in 2009 that Newcastle United’s latest academy signing should be announced at a Press conference in Slovenia.

Barely a week after Gateshead-born 20-year-old Andy Carroll raised North East morale with a crucial Premier League goal on his full St James’s Park debut, Sir John Hall’s dream of 11 Geordies running out for the first team looks further away than ever.

But according to academy director Richard Money, the arrival of 16-year-old striker Haris Vuckic should not be taken as a sign that the path for local talent is about to be blocked. Instead, Money is anxious to smooth it by rebuilding bridges with the clubs, parents and players he feels the Magpies have taken for granted.

The North East has long had a well-earned reputation for producing some of England’s finest footballers. But for every Paul Gascoigne or Jackie Milburn, there have been a couple of Charlton brothers, Bryan Robsons, or Alan Shearers who had to leave the area to make their names.

Today’s Newcastle academy includes a Hungarian, a Swede, an Italian, a Frenchman, a Dutchman and now a Slovenian. The strategy owner Mike Ashley has pushed since buying the club is simply a case of keeping up with the Joneses.

Spaniard Francesc Fabregas was bought for Arsenal’s academy, Manchester United signed Brazilian Rafael Da Silva, Argentinian Under-20 international Franco Di Santo went to Chelsea, his compatriot Emiliano Insúa to Liverpool. Now Newcastle are doing the same, realising it is cheaper to buy such players now than wait until their prices rocket. That executive director (football) Dennis Wise was heavily involved in the Haris Vuckic deal shows they are practising what they preach.

Newcastle have kept quiet about the three-and-a-half-year deal, asking Vuckic’s current club Domale not to disclose the fee and not mentioning the deal on their official website. It is sensible treatment of a player who will return to school to complete his economics studies before he can dream of a Magpies debut. But Money also gives the impression he does not want a reputation for buying in academy players.

“Since I signed in the summer, we have signed two players, Nile Ranger (a prolific striker who joined from Southampton) and now Haris Vuckic,” he quickly points out.

“We played in the FA Youth Cup last week at QPR and the starting 11 had 10 local boys in it. I would say our academy is 98% local. We’ve just signed our first international footballer in my time.”

There is plenty of local talent among the imports, as shown by the likes of Carroll, Fraser Forster, Ryan Donaldson, Mark Donninger and Sam Ameobi. But what little is known of Vuckic’s transfer appears to justify Ashley’s thinking.

“The British have asked that we do not speak publicly about the money,” Domžale president Stane Oražem revealed. “Compensation was not a priority because our club is looking for advantages elsewhere. If Haris is successful, this would gain the confidence of the English clubs and players’ agents. The knowledge we have gained negotiating with such a great club is invaluable.”

Despite all the obstacles stopping English clubs signing English players, Money does not see shopping abroad as an easy option. But wherever his scouts pitch up, the key is showing a more caring side. “I don’t think it’s easy for any club to get players from anywhere,” he argues. “That’s why we have to work hard to get people from our own area. But as a big Premiership club, it’s only right we get out there and get players who will enhance those from our area.

“Part of my brief is to develop us a structure that gave us the chance to compete. Since Kevin (Keegan) left, it hasn’t been an easy environment to push the boundaries as much as I would like. Maybe we can push a little bit more inwardly in terms of what we have already got and developing things locally.

“Maybe at some stage we will look back and say this period has done me a little bit of a favour. Maybe there would have been a temptation to rush about and try to do too much too soon.

“What really is important to us is working with local players and coaches. We’ve built up relationships and improved our structure.

“I think there’s been a lot of mistrust and battles in years gone by. It will take some time to smooth over but finally they will see a football club that cares about them and its community.”

Vuckic senior will move to England to help his son acclimatise and Money wants to be equally considerate about the welfare of English youngsters.

“The two things go hand in hand,” he stresses. “You can’t go into these things half-cocked. His environment, education and welfare are going to be very important.

“The club also needs to take an active interest in its community. We’re not unlike any other region in the country. There are people from other clubs who want to our local players. You can’t expect people to come to Newcastle United just because they are from the area. We have to let players and parents know we care about them.”