Mort in Toon youth pledge

[Jimbo 175]

Chairman In Toon Youth Pledge

 

By Craig Hope

 

NEWCASTLE United chairman Chris Mort admits he has been very impressed with the Magpies youth system after no fewer than 16 Academy products turned out for the Geordies during pre-season.

 

The new Toon chief has taken a keen interest in the Club's development of young players, and has visited the Little Benton Academy which has nurtured the talents of current first-team stars such as Steven Taylor, Peter Ramage and Andy Carroll.

 

And Mr Mort says the Club will again be looking to extend their youth recruitment efforts in the coming months.

 

"I have taken a great deal of personal interest in developing the Academy and the youth side of the Club generally," he told Black and White matchday programme.

 

"Over the weeks and months to come I would like to extend our recruitment efforts and the support we give to our Academy to try to capture the best local talent, together with talent from further field.

 

"Our Academy boys played key roles in the wins against Juventus and Celtic - with eight current or former academy trainees appearing in both fixtures.

 

"This is a great testament to the work done by our Academy team to date and the potential we have within the Club."

 

I think it’s fair to acknowledge the club's youth policy, but the so called "breakthrough" of talent in the recent matches have been pure and simply due to the lack of strength of the first team squad rather than the unmistakable merits of the youngsters.

[Shearergol 0]

Andy Carroll is still being linked with a move to either Hull or Scunny.

[Jusoda Kid 1]

Andy Carroll is still being linked with a move to either Hull or Scunny.

 

I can see him getting a game ahead of Shaft Ameobi tbh

[Tom 14021]

Andy Carroll is still being linked with a move to either Hull or Scunny.

 

I can see him getting a game ahead of Shaft Ameobi tbh