Peterborough United close to achieving the prestigious ‘Academy 2’ status

Peterborough United are closing in on a prestigious ‘Academy 2’ status.
Posh Academy manager Kieran Scarff (centre) with the under 18 management team of Simon Davies (left) and Matthew Etherington (right).Posh Academy manager Kieran Scarff (centre) with the under 18 management team of Simon Davies (left) and Matthew Etherington (right).
Posh Academy manager Kieran Scarff (centre) with the under 18 management team of Simon Davies (left) and Matthew Etherington (right).

The Academy system in English football is split into four categories with Academy 1 the highest grading possible.

And a Posh application to become an Academy 2 club has been accepted. An audit will now take place before the status is officially granted.

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Club co-owner Jason Neale has praised the club’s supporters for the role they have played in helping Posh achieve this milestone with donations following last season’s curtailed Sky Bet League One campaign playing an integral role in reaching this point.

Posh co-owner Dr Jason Neale.Posh co-owner Dr Jason Neale.
Posh co-owner Dr Jason Neale.

Dr Neale said: “We would like to thank for season ticket holders who generously donated the credit for five unused 2019-2020 season games to the Academy as their contribution was instrumental in allowing us to press ahead with our ambitious plans.

“As widely advertised, our goal is to produce three home grown players each and every season from the 2023-2024 season and achieving this higher status will help facilitate that goal through increased academy funding, better coaching and a higher level of competitive games. Darragh MacAnthony, Randy Thompson and I have loved seeing multiple youth academy graduates play for the first team this year and we are excited about the future.”

Academy Manager Kieran Scarff, who played a major part in helping to secure the site 10 years ago, believes the investment and enthusiasm from the co-owners demonstrates their unwavering commitment to youth development despite the global challenges that Covid-19 has provided during 2020.

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“Since I returned to the club, we have spoken about the possibility of applying for Category ‘2’ status,” SCarff said. “And I was naturally concerned with the pandemic and the impact that has had on all football clubs including ours and that we might need to delay that application, but the owners have been absolutely brilliant.

“The application went in last week and it has been accepted, which means we will be audited quite intensely throughout this season with the plan being that we achieve category ‘2’ status for the start of next season. It is a very exciting time for the football club and achieving that status will have a long-term impact for Peterborough United.

“It means we will be able to increase our staffing beyond the model that we have at the minute, which can only benefit the players. The facilities will play a big part. There are plans to build an indoor dome, that is required at Category ‘2’ level, and that will have a huge impact, not just on the players within the Academy, but also the wider community as well.

“The facility has developed so much over the last 10 years. It was part of the school’s playing fields back then and the staff at Nene Park Academy and CMAT have been superb throughout the process and they deserve so much credit for the support they have given to the football club.

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“I can’t ask for anymore, as Academy manager. The support that I get from the first team manager Darren Ferguson and his staff in terms of a clear pathway has always been the case and makes my job a lot easier. The support from the owners, who are putting their trust in the Academy to produce players and putting a lot of money in to do that, is second to none. The co-owners are extremely passionate about the Academy. They have a genuine interest in its development and that is fantastic for everyone connected with the football club.

‘The increased challenges from a stronger and more varied games programme will support the recruitment and development of the players and that can only benefit the long-term with regards to the first team at this football club.”