Premier proteges add a little gloss

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE giants Arsenal and Everton have been in Guernsey showing off their latest proteges. Both clubs were involved in the Rothschild Mini Soccer Festival showing Channel Islanders the class that is being nurtured for the future.

Tosh Farrell, Everton Academy's technical co-ordinator, has worked with the likes of Wayne Rooney, Leon Osman, Francis Jeffers and the youngest Premiership player and scorer of all time, James Vaughan, during his time with the Toffees.

Farrell said that although coaching was important, having natural talent was vital to make it.

'You can't give someone talent, you nurture what you've got and hopefully nurture it enough to where they want to go.'

Farrell said that this year's tournament had been a credit to Channel Islands football development.

'The standard this year has gone through the roof,' he said, adding that the coaches must take a lot of credit.

'I've seen more good football in the first morning than in the whole of last year's tournament.'

He said that the Premiership clubs aimed to help Guernsey's football development by bring academy football to the island.

Everton brought over their under-nine team and wanted to be competitive.

'For these boys it is probably the first time they have been away from their parents,' he said.

Farrell said that the tournament helped sharpen his side's mental game and was positive for team bonding.

'We get more out of it than just football, this is all part of the learning curve.'

Vale Recreation almost snatched a point from the Toffees but eventually went down 1-0.

'It's great that teams like Everton and Arsenal have come over to support the tournament. It's first-class,' said Vale Rec coach Paul Robins.

Their Priaulx coach, Chris Hamon, who was keeping a keen eye on proceedings, agreed: 'It is sowing the seeds for Guernsey football to reap the benefits from in 10 to 15 years time,' he said.

Robins said that the coaches had also benefited from the professional participation.

'From a coaching aspect you are continuously learning so there is always something to gain from watching these set-ups.'

The tournament organisers invited Arsenal to compete after a recommendation by Everton. The two Premiership clubs have a close relationship at academy level.

Arsenal academy assistant manager Roy Massey has worked with the likes of Robert Green, Craig Bellamy and Chris Sutton during his 25 years in youth development.

He said that Arsenal gladly accepted the invitation and were using the tournament as part of their pre-season preparations.

'It's a wonderful experience to bring youngsters to somewhere they have never been,' he said.

Massey said that the tournament helped the players' fitness levels and was a good opportunity to play a lot of football.

He said that Arsenal had 13 players at this age signed into their academy from thousands of hopefuls in London.

He said that the four key areas that were considered when assessing players were personality, competitiveness, technique and football intelligence.

'We have a very rigorous selection process. It is our task to consider who are the very best boys we see.'

He said that the tournament had definitely fulfilled the reasons that Arsenal had participated for and added:'I have been impressed with the standard, commitment, and attitude of the local teams.

'It is a wonderful festival of sport'

St Martin's coach Rob Prow said that there were some key differences in class between his team and the Arsenal youngsters who beat Saints 3-0.

'The real difference was their finishing: it was awesome,' he said.

'You can see they are very well trained.

'They involve all the players on the pitch and they distribute the ball about not always playing the obvious ball.'

Prow was proud of his side and made sure that all 11 in the squad got a taste of the action.

'It was a fantastic experience. When they went out some of them were really nervous, but they settled down quickly and started playing,' he said.

'I'm sure some of the players out here will be names for the future,' Prow added.