Albie Morgan & Toby Stevenson join Steve Avory at Bromley Addicks - 2 May (This Thursday)

SA

Has been at the Academy for 18 years.

Academy was on the verge of closing in 2010 but VG was vital in keeping it open

Are encouraging the players to join VG  (I wonder if they will win a chance to do the crossbar challenge and if so will they take the kick?)

Q:  how many players have come thru in last 18 years?

SA  Focus on last five years as have the stats.  40 players, some estblished, some don't make it but have a good grounding or make it elsewhere like Harry Arter.  Harry had to take a step back to progress but Harry hasn't forgotten his time at Charlton.

At Gillingham 7 or 8 players who came through out academy.

Takes immense pride at seeing Gomez in Champions League Semi, enormous pleasure.  Didn't see the game as watching our U18s v West Ham.  Went to watch Arsenal v Liverpool last year and sat with Gomez's dad.  (parents have a huge impact).

I and staff get enormous pleasure from developing players, not just the big hitters, the coaches have often been around for five or more years so work with the players for a long time.

Q:  How do we recruit and scout players?

SA - There is one full time head of recruitment, 4 part time coordinators plus a group of 30 scouts and volunteers who work just for expenses.  Important to focus on SE London and Kent and reach out to Essex and East London.

Can only sign a player at the end of the U8s season but like other clubs run pre-academies for U7s and U8s.

Tap into the local area and look at the better leagues and schoolboy football.  At the age many players training with two or three academies at same time which isn't good.

Lookman was different.  He'd never been in any academy. We arranged a game v the London FA as a recruitment game.  Took us 8 minutes to decide to speak to him. 

Q:  How do you compete with the likes of Spurs and Chelsea?

SA - talk about the pathway and number of young players.  Quote stats, productivity and 1st team appearances as well as the high profile players.  

Not facilities although ours are good enough. Talk to parents about us being in the top 10 for productivity for last six years since stats produced.

Q:  How did Albie Morgan (AM) and Toby Stevenson (TS) come to Charlton?

AM - signed at 9, was in a pre-academy before and was training at a few academies.

Had a choice of Charlton or Chelsea.  Went for Charlton as parents felt access was better (he's from Gravesend)

Left the academy at 12 (not kicked out) and played Sunday league. Came back at U15 and signed a scholarship at u16 which was a great experience

TS - very different route. Played Sunday league to 14 when went on a soccer school in Coventry. Stayed in uni digs at Warwick Uni for a week.  There was a trial game at the end and he got a trial and was then signed by Millwall (booing from floor).  Was released by the scum at 16 and signed for Orient.  Then Orient closed their U23 team when relegated

SA  Toby's first game for us was a national final (u18s v Palace).  I'd released another centre half and he wanted to go on trial elsewhere understandably.  TS was still on trial but signed him after that.

TS on his hatrick

"surreal moment"  (Yes, we have players who use the word "surreal")

"Am I dreaming" 

Had to take the chance, first goals ever for Charlton, was playing left wing back so just got forward a lot.  Scored first from a Mark Marshall cross, Second was with my right foot, see I do have a right foot (SA had previously said how AM was two footed but TS only had a left).    Third was a pen, Jacko and Pratley all calling for me to take it, never taken one before, just slotted it in.

SA - Current players best group he's seen for helping young players. Every senior player who's played in the U23s for whatever reason has impressed with his attitudes to these games, to the training and helping the young players, the seniors help and encourge the younger players.

AM - can't think of anyone who hasn't welcomed me, giving me backing when nervous. Darren Prately in particular has helped, I can talk to him one to one, he's had a good career and can pass that experience on.  It all helps us to learn and gain more confidence in training and games.

TS - all the players are approachable. Jason Pearce and Lewis Page as defenders help you, they talk you through the games, Pagey helps even when not playing.

Q:  what's it like to play for Lee Bowyer?

AM - He had a similar pathway as a young player, there is no real pressure from him, re-assures you, makes you feel you deserve to be there.

He's done it and been there, knows how we are feeling and how to get the best out of us.

TS - LB trusts us, great team spirit amd brilliant coach on the training ground.

SA - There is an excellent spirit at the training ground,  Steve Gallen has to get credit for indetifying the "right" people and personalities.   He's strong on man management and discipline.

Q:  What is like at half time with LB?

AM - Depends on the score!  LB says it how it is.