Reports this afternoon say Town's successful Academy operation is facing cuts as the current financial pressures hit all areas of the club. Last week TWTD reported that the Blues would not be running an U17 team next season.

That decision has been caused by the reduction in the number of players at the club as Town chiefs have sought to cut the wage bill over the course of the season.

The Academy, which has brought through players like Richard Wright, Kieron Dyer, James Scowcroft, Titus Bramble, Darren Bent, Darren Ambrose and now Dean Bowditch, costs the club more than £1 million to run each year.

However, the budget will have to be cut by £250,000 as the administrators seek to address Town's financial crisis. It is hoped that redundancies will be avoided with cuts coming from other expenditure.

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