Why do our young stars fade away?

THE scorelines look good if you are a North supporter, but not if you are serious about developing football. In the past two weeks North's Youth Ones have thumped Rovers 18-1, their Youth Twos crushed Rangers 15-0 and the Youth Threes demolished the red-and-blacks 16-0.

They were painful games to watch, excruciating for those connected with the losers.

It is nothing new, of course.

Good youth teams down the years have won by similarly crushing scorelines and in modern times all too often it has been poor Rangers who have suffered, but when coupled with the alarming and I suspect increasing fallout of players once they reach 18, it is a worrying situation.

Why do good, young footballers quit playing seriously in their droves?

On Thursday night, Island FM had two such talented youngsters in their line-up against Vale Rec.

Not so long ago Wayne Cicmic was being touted as a possible senior Muratti left back.

Very fit, lightning quick and with a decent left foot, Cicmic had years of Priaulx football ahead of him. Or so we thought.

Three years ago, Steve Le Lerre was the star of the island's Star Trophy side.

A class player in the making they said. But again we were wrong.

Cicmic and Le Lerre are just two who have taken the GFA exit door and plumped for an inexpensive easy life in the Sunday or Business leagues where - as Thursday's result highlighted - it is a sizeable step down.

At some stage, the GFA need to fight their corner more robustly than they have ever done and fend off the twin threat of the friendly leagues.

Too many decent players are making themselves unavailable for Priaulx selection and I would suggest the GFA get down to some serious leg work and start asking these players why the association's product is not attractive.

A quick flip through the SSL and Business League teamsheets would soon highlight a couple of dozen players who would improve the Priaulx.

Once that is achieved simply ask them what would attract them back into the GFA fold?

Could it be they don't want to play a club subscription? Is is that they don't want to train, just turn up and play? Is it that they are more comfortable in the company of their mates? Is it that they would prefer to be a big fish in a smaller pond?

I guess it is all of those things and if so, perhaps the senior clubs - particularly the struggling ones - need to be more proactive and innovative in their senior recruitment by improving or simply starting scouting seriously.

As with most things in life and certainly in sport, you can buy - to varying degrees - success.

By making your club more attractive to potential players, they may consider quitting the Mickey Mouse leagues and take up the real challenge of senior club football.

Free membership for selected first-team squad members only could be a winning enticement.

If it pays off with better results on the pitch, then why not?