Town’s academy was one of the top three in last season’s EPPP category two audit and are one of only two clubs to have been granted a three-year licence to operate at that level.

Auditors, who won't now return to Playford Road until 2020, assessed the Blues’ youth set-up during October last year.

“We are really pleased obviously with the results,” academy manager Lee O’Neill told the club website.

""“A lot of work has gone on behind the scenes in all departments across the academy. We have all worked extremely hard to make sure that our programme is in line with what is expected at this standard but in a lot of areas we are above the level required.

""“A number of departments were ranked number one in the category two clubs. We were top for sports science and medicine, top for operations and recruitment and our coaching programme was ranked second.

“Staff have gone above and beyond to deliver a programme that is as good as it can possibly be. "

Pretty happy with that result! Ranked No.1 for Sports Science and Medicine in Category 2 EPPP audit, &benchmarked as top5 in whole country! pic.twitter.com/5HX3rqxQzC

— Jimmy Reynolds (@Ptjimmyr) August 10, 2017

“Nothing has changed with our aim to get to category one at some stage but we feel that we have a programme that is offering a clear pathway for younger players to progress through the academy into the first team.”""

Already this season Flynn Downes, Tristan Nydam and Luke Woolfenden have made their senior debuts while previous academy graduates Tommy Smith, Andre Dozzell and Myles Kenlock have also featured.

Photo: TWTD

theblueginger added 11:37 - Aug 10 So if we are that close to Cat 1 anyway lets go for it!
3

itfcjoe added 11:39 - Aug 10 Good news, well done to all involved
4

iaintaylorx added 11:53 - Aug 10 So many positive things about this club at the minute. Long may it continue!!
4

tractorkent added 12:02 - Aug 10 It seems that with the feel good factor has returned, perhaps Marcs Evans is listening to the fans of this homely club, I for one do appreciate the money that Mr Evans puts in each year.Without it know one knows where we would be now,I think he realises now that running my beloved club isn't like running his other businesses.
7

Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 12:16 - Aug 10 Brian Klug is ITFC more than any manager we've had since Burley. Fantastic knowledge, experience, dedication and perseverance. Sadly, I haven't been proud of very much within ITFC over recent years, but the Academy is an exception. Long may it continue to thrive.
9

Wallingford_Boy added 12:43 - Aug 10 So category 1 is at least 3 years away, or can we apply before then?
1

carlisleaway added 12:46 - Aug 10 Why need category 1 when it costs the club a lot of money, if we can go on producing players like we are at the moment. Why change !!
2

ArnieM added 13:00 - Aug 10 It still beggars belief that Town are not a Cat 1 - how many kids have played in our first team? How many have scum brought through from their academy ??
2

MattinLondon added 14:02 - Aug 10 This is fantastic news and something to be proud of. The premier league seems to change the rules surrounding catergory one status on a seasonal basis - maybe they don't want non-premier league teams in their club. Doesn't seem to be fair.
3

HighgateBlue added 14:50 - Aug 10 In relation to Norwich, to be fair, I'm not sure we've generated aggregate transfer fees for all of our academy graduates combined that surpass what they got for Jacob Murphy.
1

muccletonjoe added 19:28 - Aug 10 Every fan loves to see academy players getting into the first team. The whole set up is and always has been a credit to the club. This season there may well be more players than ever before stepping into the first team i hope they all do well.
0

coolcat added 21:05 - Aug 10 Excellent news! Lots of good work done by all the staff at the Academy. Was impressed at what was involved when Lee O'Neill and Alan Lee explained what goes on behind the scenes at the last London event :)
0

barrystedmunds added 21:20 - Aug 10 That's Brighton shelved out £13 million on another player bringing their total spend to over £25 million!! The Academy has to be the way ahead!
0

brian_a_mul added 22:55 - Aug 10 We got serious cash for Wickham a few seasons ago. Before that I think Bent & Ambrose & bramble brought a few Schilling's to the club, and Dyer before that. The academy, when functioning properly, has been profitable for us. Keano set the academy back 10 years with his ignorance. Pity, I wonder how much that decision cost us??
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