Academy manager urges kids to take Blackburn Rovers chance (From This Is Lancashire)

Academy manager urges kids to take Blackburn Rovers chance

3:20pm Thursday 2nd September 2010 in

• Skip social links
• Print
• Email
• Comments(3)

BLACKBURN Rovers Academy manager Phil Cannon has told his latest crop of youngsters ‘there are no excuses’ as he urges them to take their chance.

Everton’s former youth supremo has seen a host of players rise through Rovers’ ranks over the past 12 months to make a Premier League impact but he believes ‘this is our strongest youth squad yet’.

The under 18s opened their campaign with a draw against Charlton and a narrow defeat to Aston Villa at the weekend, but Cannon insists the latest intake have an exciting time ahead.

Phil Jones, Junior Hoilett and Grant Hanley have all progressed from the academy to feature for Rovers’ first team over the past 12 months and Cannon insists the new generation have an opportunity to follow in their footsteps.

Cannon said: “I’ve seen a lot of hard luck stories, generally because players haven’t been given the chance to impress.

“There can’t be any hard luck stories here, because we’ve got a manager who is willing to give young players that opportunity.

"It’s up to the lads to make the most of the fantastic opportunity.

“They’re a really good bunch – probably the strongest we’ve had in a few years, so all credit to the recruitment department staff who have worked extremely hard over the past 12 months.

“In an ideal world, the entire group would be made up of local lads who have come through our 9-16s programme, without the need for travellers.

“However, competition is very tough in the North West and so attracting the best young players from our catchment area gets more and more difficult each year.

"We have a good mix – and an exciting future.”

The summer saw Rovers’ under 18s travel to Thailand where they won a tournament and Cannon believes it was the perfect preparation for season.

“All in all it has been a very satisfying summer,” he said.

“The players had to cope with intense heat out in Thailand, which they will have benefited from, and the trip has really helped everyone to get to know each other.

“While we all enjoyed last season’s run in the FA Youth Cup, the most successful thing was seeing Phil Jones and Grant Hanley make their Premier League debuts.

“The aim is to find more players who are ready to be pushed up into Iain Brunskill’s reserves and ultimately the first team.

“At times we will be very young again this season, but it is all about fast-tracking them and sometimes taking them out of their comfort zones.”

Meanwhile a donation from the ‘100 Club’ has enabled Rovers to buy five new mountain bikes and a camcorder for the club’s academy.

In recent times, money raised by members has brought a minibus, frost covers, a kick wall and new stores for groundstaff at Brockhall.

“We receive great support from the 100 Club and it is much appreciated,” said Cannon.

“The new bikes and camcorder will certainly be put to good use.”