Gavin Willacy
Sports The Footballer Who Signed His First EFL Contract a Fortnight Before Lockdown

The Footballer Who Signed His First EFL Contract a Fortnight Before Lockdown

he story of Jim Morris was so good Disney made a film about it. In The Rookie, baseball pitcher Morris – played by Dennis Quaid – emerges from coaching a high…

Gavin Willacy (London)
Sports English Football Should Prepare for a New Financial Reality After Coronavirus

English Football Should Prepare for a New Financial Reality After Coronavirus

The decision of Barnet chairman Tony Kleanthous to lay off all non-playing staff at the club may look drastic, but he is unlikely to be the last owner to…

Gavin Willacy (London)
Sports The Chelsea Academy Has a New Generation of Talent on the Way

The Chelsea Academy Has a New Generation of Talent on the Way

The 522 minutes that Danny Drinkwater played for Chelsea in the Premier League cost the club more than £50m over three years. At least the club’s similarly…

Gavin Willacy (London)
Sports Where Is Your Club's Next Manager? Coaching the Youth Team

Where Is Your Club's Next Manager? Coaching the Youth Team

Three Premier League teams will be led by temporary managers this weekend – and all three learned the ropes by coaching younger players at those clubs. Duncan…

Gavin Willacy (London)
Sports Premier League Sucks up Talent as EFL Clubs Count Cost of Reserve Teams

Premier League Sucks up Talent as EFL Clubs Count Cost of Reserve Teams

Making 11 changes and yet still knocking Arsenal out of the League Cup came at a price for Liverpool: they are out of the EFL Trophy. No, you won’t hear the…

Gavin Willacy (London)
Sports The Dutch Model of Developing Young Footballers: Let Them Sink or Swim

The Dutch Model of Developing Young Footballers: Let Them Sink or Swim

Despite Ajax going desperately close to reaching the Champions League final, the Eredivisie seems to be out of fashion with Premier League recruiters. Only two…

Gavin Willacy (London)
Sports Charlton's Academy Keeps Producing Young Players Who Make the Grade

Charlton's Academy Keeps Producing Young Players Who Make the Grade

When Ademola Lookman joined RB Leipzig from Everton for £22.5m last week, the transfer fees spent on four former Charlton youth teammates hit £50m. Aston Villa…

Gavin Willacy (London)
'The Public Only See the Highs': The Reality of Premier League Youth Teams

'The Public Only See the Highs': The Reality of Premier League Youth Teams

Having promoted young players in his previous roles at Östersund and Swansea City, new Brighton manager Graham Potter may look to the club’s talented academy…

Gavin Willacy (London)