Andrew Skiffington

One of the biggest challenges in youth development is separating early maturity from real long-term potential. Some players dominate early because they are bigger or more physically developed. But football history shows us time and again that late developers often become the best players if they’re given patience and the right environment.

When he was my boss at Tottenham Hotspur, John McDermott used to say: “The best player at 9 is rarely the best player at 16.” It highlights the old question of performance vs potential. In academy football we still place too much emphasis on performance at younger ages, when development should be the priority. Sometimes we simply need to be patient and give young players more time.

Jack Bray scores again! He races beyond the Blues defence before picking out an unstoppable finish to double our advantage. 🫡 💙🤍 2-0 🔴 | (61’)

Bit of local football this evening and seeing a bleep test happening on Astro tonight u10! 😮 let them play!!! ⚽️

@FootballTalkHQ The amount of coaches that follow culture kills the players(kids)! They need to trust the process, except kids make mistakes and create an environment for them to make mistakes and learn! ‘If in doubt kick it out’ WRONG! Keep the ball and learn and grow

🗣️ Arsene Wenger: "It's very simple, you build a player like you build a house." "First comes the basement, the base of a player is technique. You get that between the ages of 7 and 14 years of age." "If you have no technical skill at 14, forget it. You will never be a football player." "The second part is the physical aspect, the first floor. Unfortunately, that is decided between 14-17 years of age where you feel you'll be strong enough, quick enough." "The second floor is tactical understanding. Does he have an understanding of the game? What to do with the ball?" "The final part that is decided at 18-19 years of age is how successful the player wants to be."

Alan Smith, a lifelong Red, has recently suffered a heartbreaking setback in his battle with cancer. We’re asking fans to join us in a minutes clap on 3 mins to show Alan he’s not alone and that the entire Barnsley family is right behind him in this fight. We’re all with you.

Anyone got a u7s footy team of a Saturday and need a player Dm please for my little lad ?

@AlSmith_tykemad All the best Alan, I know you will beat it!!

Just back home. Prognosis is I've got cancer of the oesophagus, but it's only small and is treatable.The consultant Adam Ahmed gave me a big hug ... thanks for all your support. The next step is a PET scan at Northern General in Sheffield next week!❤️

Thrilled to be at #NAASAConference today with hundreds of dedicated Safeguarding Leads! 🤩 So inspiring to see everyone leaning in to learn, lead, & protect their school communities. 🤝📚 Great energy & collaboration! ✨ #EducationLeadership #Safeguarding 🏫

A great man raising money for a great cause, listen to @unleashing_me explain why he is going to be sleeping rough in the town centre. Donate if you can, to support. @ChilternTSH

Fab day, thanks so much to all the speakers and organisers and to all the attendees too. It made for an experience rich in shared best practice, knowledge and sparked depth of thought. Inspired CPD for all: learning from each other. The power of collaboration #NAASADSLConference

@Carra23 world book day!

🤝 Welcome Diego

Thank you to everyone involved at Barnsley, 14 years at the club and loved every minute. Thank you to all the staff and players who’ve been there during my time, not the way I’d of liked it to end with the long injury, but ready to go now at @sligorovers Been a pleasure♥️

A @SkyBetLeagueTwo debut for one of our talented @HarrogateYouth prospects Jack Bray at Blundell Park ✨

Breaking my mini X hiatus to share a wonderful opportunity to join our supportive team at a secondary school in Lichfield, Staffs. Non-teaching LDSL role and lots of support and development from the wider @the_atlp Trust family. Please share. atlp.face-ed.co.uk/Vacancies/Deta…

@TrustSafeguard @FrankSafeguard @ativiongroup are happy to support this each year!

Delighted to announce the #NAASA #safeguarding networking events for this year as our community of practice continues to thrive in our support of each other’s #professionaldevelopment

It finished 2-2 earlier today with our goals coming from Jack Bray and Oli Robinson

It's for @SLFCJuniors btw 🫣

Tripper must take Southgates wife out when he is working away! Wow