Waggott Reveals Club Ambition

Last updated : 17 March 2014 By Covsupport News Service

Coventry City Development Officer Steve Waggott has said that the ambition is to have half of the match day squad made up of players who have come through the club's youth development system.

Writing in his notes for the City V Port Vale programme, Mr Waggott said: "My role is to have an eye on next season and, on top of that, the long term future of the club.

Our Category Two status for our Academy is integral to that and the ambition is to see fifty per cent of the first team squad on a matchday represented by players who have come through our youth development system.

"Part of that means developing an even stronger scouting network that builds a wall around the Coventry & Warwickshire area and captures the very best talent we have in our area for Coventry City.

"It also means extending out across the region in a bid to attract talented youngsters from further afield to come into the club at a young age.

"Parents and children alike want to see an opportunity to progress from the youth system into first team football and what this club is showing, with Steven Pressley at the helm, is there is a clear pathway through from Academy to the first team.

"Of course, there will be further challenges ahead but our aim will be to begin next season with a strong squad that can build on the foundations laid this year.

"In the short term, we must ensure we maintain League One status, mid-term, have a squad of players that can get us where we need to get to and long term have a youth development system that keeps producing the next generation of players.

"All of the above looks quite easy when you write it down but it is going to mean a great deal of work and continued investment and getting every single penny possible out onto the pitch."