Source: Daily_Mail
COLIN YOUNG: Adam Johnson story a shining example to youngsters
Spend several days researching the life story of Adam Johnson andyou soon realise just how many people are convinced he is heading tothe very top.[LNB]His parents Dave and Sonia spotted it when he was booting amini-ball round the living room at the age of five, and his ClevelandJuniors coach George Blake, several Middlesbrough youth coaches and hisfirst managers Steve McClaren, Gareth Southgate and Aidy Boothroyd allspotted his obvious talents the first time they saw him.[LNB]All those who have encountered Johnson are enthused by him.Virtually every description was the same - old-fashioned winger, bitsmall when he was a kid, incredible talent with the ball at his feet,smashing lad.[LNB]Now an £8million winger at the richest club in the world, theSunderland-born graduate from the Boro Academy, who has been startinggames for Roberto Mancini, has an outside chance of being on the planefor South Africa with England.[LNB]The Adam Johnson story gives encouragement to the three North East clubs and young players in this region.[LNB]But with it comes a dose of reality from Dave Parnaby, director ofthe Middlesbrough Academy, and the man behind the development ofplayers like Johnson, Stewart Downing and David Wheater (the list oflocal players who have reached the Boro first team is now officiallyendless).[LNB]Making the grade: Johnson graduated from Middlesbrough's academy and has a chance of being among the England World Cup squad[LNB]Parnaby says when parents and their children walk into the doors ofthe club for the first time, they are given a stark warning that theirtime at the club is more likely to end in heartache. [LNB]'Adam and Stewart are the nice bits,' he says. 'But there have been some sad stories too.[LNB]'When I first meet the parents I tell them if you are a gambler putyour money on us releasing your lad because that is what happens to themajority.'[LNB]Of course dozens do make it and there are signs at all three clubsthat the commitment, investment and patience with the Academy system isworking.[LNB]Middlesbrough could almost name two teams made up of players whohave come through the Academy and into the first team and not all ofthem have stayed the journey on Teesside.[LNB]Jordan Henderson hardly missed a game for Sunderland this seasonbefore it was curtailed by injury, young striker Ryan Noble has madethe first team squad and remember the name Jack Colback. The midfielderis on loan at Ipswich and doing very well.[LNB] More from Colin Young... NORTHERN EXPOSURE: Gibson warns of cost of Boro's failed Euro dream16/02/10 NORTHERN EXPOSURE: Genius like Kevin Phillips is hard to find - but Darren Bent deserves a place at the World Cup 09/02/10 NORTHERN EXPOSURE: The old Bhoys network at Middlesbrough could finally shatter the myth that Celtic could dominate English football 02/02/10 NORTHERN EXPOSURE: Adam Johnson's departure - even for £6m - would be a major blow to a Boro side struggling to keep up with the pace setters28/01/10 NORTHERN EXPOSURE: Southgate stays calm as Gibson sticks the boot in19/01/10 NORTHERN EXPOSURE: Magpies are not counting their chickens just yet15/01/10 NORTHERN EXPOSURE: Expect change at Middlesborough as Gordon Strachan moulds his regime06/01/10 NORTHERN EXPOSURE: Say what you want about Joey Barton, but he has the guts to pose some uncomfortable questions31/12/09 VIEW FULL ARCHIVE Up the road at Newcastle, Gateshead-born Andy Carroll celebrates hisEngland Under 21 call-up this week, following Steven Taylor into theinternational arena, and who could forget that the current keeper SteveHarper is from Easington? He may have had to wait a decade for hisfirst team run, but he would surely be on Fabio Capello's radar if hewas playing in the Premier League.[LNB]Middlesbrough chairman Steve Gibson has long made it his goal toproduce well-rounded individuals as well as footballers, so those wholeave unfulfilled still have a chance of finding employment. [LNB]Parnaby added: 'We have had a few successes but it doesn't get anyeasier. It is tough for the boy and his parents to get to that point.We'll celebrate when someone leaves the club and gives the chairman,Keith Lamb and the manager the money to re-invest, strengthen and pushour cause.[LNB]'You have to give credit to the hierarchy and the managers who havesupported us and never put us under any pressure. The only pressure weput is on ourselves.[LNB]'People keep asking the secret and it is about individual development. It is not about winning games from the Under 9s up.'[LNB]All this came in the same week I received a bulletin from theFootball Association warning about the dangers of 'overplaying' youngplayers.[LNB][LNB]As the manager of an Under 13 team, with lads of all shapes andsizes now starting to mature and develop in many different ways, it isan important issue but it is wrong to put all the responsibility on tocoaches and school teachers.[LNB] Fellow achiever: Stewart Downing (right) - another alumnus of the Middlesbrough academy - opens his account for Aston Villa[LNB][LNB]According to Alan Hodson, the FA's head of medical and exercisescience, we have to be vigilant and rest players who show signs offatigue. [LNB]Hodson says: 'Young players are particularly vulnerable to 'overuse'injuries caused by overplay. Such injuries, which can involve certainbones or muscles/tendons, develop over time due to too much repetitiveactivity. They will continue unless correct medical advice andtreatment is followed.[LNB]'Young players are particularly vulnerable to 'overuse' injuries astheir muscles and bones grow at different rates - particularly whenthey experience 'growth spurts'.[LNB]'If you suspect a player in your care is suffering from an 'overuse'injury, your first port of call should be his/her family doctor, butkeeping your eyes and ears open is vital, as problems can be minimisedby early recognition and prompt action.'[LNB]Fine in principle, unrealistic in practice because too many youthteam managers are obsessed with success and their attitude to the gameand player development is the opposite of the ethos which has broughtDave Parnaby and Middlesbrough so much success.[LNB]A beacon: Taylor[LNB]Just in our league in Durham, several managers have an obsessionwith winning leagues and trophies which would put Sir Alex Ferguson toshame. And I am sure it is the same up and down the country. We haveall come across them.[LNB]The dreadful British weather does not help youth football and hascreated a bigger issue which the FA and local FAs cannot ignore. Everyyear it is the same and we do nothing about it. We expect our kids toplay too many games towards the end of the season to fulfil fixturesand of course it has to be done before the cricket season starts. [LNB]My own team has played just nine games since August, which is aboutthe average in these parts, and that means, for various reasons, wehave had 19 cancellations. And between now and the first week of May weare expected to cram in another 13 league games and at least one cuptie. When the light nights come we will be playing two or three games aweek.[LNB]On top of that the boys, who don't forget are studying everyday forfive hours, are expected to play for their school team at least once aweek, playing matches in some very competitive league and cup matches,as well as take part in PE lessons, cross country running competitionsand other sports. Oh and their clubs (and parents) will have paid forat least an hour of training once a week as well.[LNB]It is too much football and too much pressure and you try telling a12 or 13 year old lad he can't play in any game because he has to rest.[LNB]The FA and the officers from local leagues and schools up and downthe country need to take a long hard look at themselves, the system,even the pitches and lack of affordable artificial surfaces beforeputting all the blame and responsibility on volunteer coaches, themajority of whom are in it for the enjoyment, not the medals.[LNB][LNB] [LNB] Explore more:People:Stewart Downing, Adam Johnson, David Wheater, Steve McClaren, Alex Ferguson, Fabio Capello, Steven Taylor, Gareth Southgate, Keith LambPlaces:Newcastle, South Africa, United KingdomOrganisations:Football Association
