I watched a ‘Premier League’ under 15 game on Tuesday afternoon – partly with my Umbro scouting hat on, and partly out of curiosity as a football fan working in the football industry. At 14/15, these boys may only be a year or two from living the dream in front of a worldwide television audience with the lifestyle to match. Boots deals, pro contracts and agents are all in motion for those who have been highlighted to make it to the top – all unwanted distractions.

Having grown up in this environment, it was quite surreal to observe the future stars go about their weekly ‘work’, totally naive as to what may lie just around the corner. With the parents turning up in their droves to watch how their lad play, you could almost sense the nerves and anxiety buzzing from the sidelines. Even at this age, your performances can dictate the next ten years of your life – if not your whole career. Cold Tuesday afternoons after school, playing in front of 50 shivering parents and club officials is where the future Premier League stars play for fun, for free and without a care in the world. This is football at its purest –  but it’s also where clubs, brands and agents stand to make millions.

The game was fascinating. One side were physically huge – but technically totally inept. A million miles from where Academy football wanted to be when Howard Wilkinson proposed the infrastructure and outlines for the Academy system. The other team were a joy to watch. Eight of the 11 were less than 5ft tall but were technically magnificent. They zipped the ball about like Barcelona, showed flair, composure and courage on the ball and brought a dull afternoon to light. Physically they were babies, but outplayed the team of giants beating them 5 -1. It was a pleasure to watch. These were technical footballers who were encouraged to play. Manipulating the ball, looking after the ball and comfortable in possession - it didn’t take a genius to work out that these young players had been coached and educated a certain way by the club. It didn’t take a genius to work out which club had success in producing players fit for the first team.

But as looked on, I feared for them. I feared for the best players. As ‘our’ game continues to focus on aspects of the game such as power, strength and speed – many of these fantastic little players will dissappear of the face of the face of the earth. I hear it all the time within the industry; ‘How tall is he?’ How big is he?’ – never the question ‘can the kid play?’Can he beat a man and open the defence up with a pass?’. We all watched Spain destroy England last season – a football lesson of the highest class. Players like Xavi and Iniesta who passed England into the ground that night, who are technical wizards, may not have survived in out current system based on their size. We have the players – but often we can’t seem to accomodate them?

As I walked away from the training pitch, with parents, scouts, agents, coaches and officials in tow, you could hear whispers and snippets of match reports and differing oppinions from the game. The players – many totally unaware that they may have dented or enhanced their reputation -  bounced off having enjoyed a run about with their mates.