Gillingham’s head of academy coaching Ebun Thomas knows it’s harder than ever for youngsters to break through – but that won’t stop them trying.
Thomas believes there’s plenty of potential coming through the club’s ranks and is hopeful about their chances of getting into the competitive world of professional football.
“It’s a really tough [journey],” said Thomas.
“People talk about statistics and only 1,012 players can start on any given Saturday from the Premier League down to League 2.
“When you think about it that way, that’s not that many. So it’s probably harder in today’s age for players to break through.
“But, like anything, if they’re given opportunity and given the right ingredients, are supported really well, then they can come through.
“What people forget is that whatever team they support and go and watch on a Saturday or Tuesday, every single player on that pitch was a youth player somewhere. Like anything, they were given an opportunity.
“We’re very mindful and excited that hopefully in the next couple of years some of those boys will push through. Not just survive but thrive and go onto to bigger and better things with the football club.”
So, is there pressure to develop players?
“Yes and no,” responded Thomas. “Part of my role is to work with staff, we’ve got some fantastic staff at the football club, from physios to strength and conditioning, it’s all connected.
“But at the end of the day we’re a professional football club and is there pressure to develop football players? Yes, there is. But I think that’s probably been the same since day one, we always want our own to get into the first team.
“What we understand now is that it’s about making sure that they have a well-balanced experience as we’re still working with very young people at the end of the day.
“As we know within the game, the transition into becoming a professional footballer is very small. In my utopian world, I want 11 starting players to be from the academy.
“Our fans are very knowledgeable and understand it’s about time. When you’re talking about someone who is as young as 13, a lot of our fans are parents and they understand the journey.
“As you can imagine, they’re excited and they all want to know who is the next one coming through. Some of them will come and watch training, some will watch our youth games, and as a club we really encourage that. It’s about having an identity of seeing young players come through.
“Fans are excited and I want them to be excited. I genuinely think within the next couple of years that it will be quite fruitful for the club from a youth development point of view.”
Thomas, who has also worked at Charlton and Barnet, was a guest speaker at the Kent FA’s second Coaches Conference.
He stressed the importance of getting to know the character of each individual within the club’s academy and ensuring they offer a comfortable environment for youngsters to develop. He’s more than happy to spread his knowledge to others within the game, having been in their shoes before.
“I’m a student of the game and once you start thinking you know it all, for me that’s the time when you step back,” added Thomas.
“I have a responsibility to the coaches and the kids in the academy, that they deserve the very best from me. The best from me is to continually improve, learn from other coaches and the best learning is when it is two-way.
“On my journey, someone gave me a bit of time and spread their knowledge. I’ve never forgotten that and every opportunity I get to spread my knowledge, whether that’s to one or 10 people, can never be anything other than positive.
“I look at it as being a custodian and you have to pass that knowledge on so more people can play this beautiful game.
“I’ve been an under-9s coach, I’ve worked in grassroots football, so hopefully it’s shown that with a bit of grit and determination, and some hard work, people can see through my journey and through the other panellists that anything is possible.”
Thomas was part of a knowledgeable panel at the Coaches Conference with other speakers including former Brentford and Rangers manager Mark Warburton plus Ebbsfleet boss Danny Searle. Simon Copley, the 12-14 lead at Arsenal, was also among those to talk about his experiences in the game.
