I wonder if it’s the lure of the lifestyle and riches Football brings rather than the actual football that leaves these young guys devastated the most.
When you’re a kid in a football academy you’re the most popular guy in school etc. I remember my brother being let go at Wolves and the social aspect hurt him the most.
RIP to the lad.
Yeah one my mates thought he was gonna make it at Burnley and never did and it took him years to get over it really. I only know of him but apparently in many cases there is the problem that the child is adamant they don't need certain things (i.e. an education) as they don't think they'll ever need school etc cos they're gonna be a footballer. I know City and United do pay for academy kids to go to a private school but I'm not sure if there's much done in terms of checking they actually bother doing any work or are gaining an education.
The actual success of becoming a footballer especially in the Premier league is going to be ridiculously low, probably less than 0.5% really so more does need to be done to help them outside of football as the reality is they aren't going to make it.
Another problem is a lot of these bigger clubs pretty much snatch up any of these half decent kids on the off chance they'll make it and can sell them on for a good bit of money if they aren't quite ready for their club. Its unfair on the kids as the club knows they'll never be good enough they've just got him so others can't. The lure of City or United far outweighs Wigan, Burnley, Rochdale, Stockport County etc and the resources are better for however long you're there for.
I think the clubs should have to do more, if you sign these kids and they're on your books for years it should be your responsibility to help them after for a period, some will go into the world and have sacrificed a lot for the opportunity and are just forgotten about, they should have contacts at other clubs, work in the community or a chance of re-education in another industry. The reality is not every footballer makes it but by forcing the clubs to do something they will hopefully help but also may not seen every player in the local area as its not just a case of releasing them as soon as they're a certain age you know they're not going to make it.