Hmm just noticed that Ipswich Town must have down a deal with Ajax Amsterdam to swap young bairns comming through the ranks. They have just taken two players on loan from Ajax who are in the Holland Youth team.

Now I do not know if this is a deal similar to the one Newton Heath has with it's Belgium club, except in reverse whereby Ipswich is the feeder club who take on players the help their progress into the full Ajax squad.

But when are we going to develop such a partnership with another club whereby youngsters are loaned out so that they can further thier development?

If we do develop such a partnership, can I suggest a Dutch or French team.

-- Anonymous, July 10, 2000

Answers

We should concentrate on our own youth policy so that we have the cream of the North East talent to pick from then add some quality foreigners to that base. We've got enough foreign players at the minute.

-- Anonymous, July 10, 2000

That is the whole point of this type of set-up. You send you top young prospects out for a season to play in a slightly lower standard league. They experience a different culture, coaching techniques etc. Instead of just loaning them out to Darlington all the time.

-- Anonymous, July 10, 2000

It looks a good idea, and a concept that is likely to achieve growing acceptance.
As Tre suggests, what real development benefit does loaning a young player to Darlington achieve - other than risking injury and possible demoralisation?

-- Anonymous, July 10, 2000

After all, our young starlets could also receive bans from playing in Europe again after assaulting a Belgian referee.

-- Anonymous, July 10, 2000