Huw Jennings on Saints Academy and Bale

[eelpie]

Interesting read.

This quote sticks out for me

‘The fact that he (Bale) stayed at Southampton longer than Theo will have helped him.’

 

I hope that our current young stars take note.

 

http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/focus-on-the-main-man-as-tottenham-face-arsenal-how-gareth-bale-became-a-worldbeater-8517494.html

[melmacian_saint]

Well one good thing is that we've now got a first team able to hold on to those stars for longer.

 

Agree with the comment: a full season in tough NPC for a 16-year old is better than just a half-season where he was promoted as a starlet and took the first train out. We must remember he never played for Arsenal that season when he was already a starter with us. But it was a different background by then.

 

If only we had held on to our PL status that 2005, maybe we would still have them alongside us.

[ART]

In the past week every Tom, **** and Harry has claimed to have spotted and his talent been a part of Gareth's start in football. I even thought of sending in my own claim.

 

What amazes me that one person who had perhaps ht biggest part in Gareth's earlier career and responsible for keeping him at the club longer to improve his game has been strangely absent. MICHAEL WILDE, former chairman was Gareth's sponsor financially even before Wilde invested and became part of the club. It was Michael Wilde who convinced him and signed him to his first professional contract, refusing to cash in on him. Their relationship was, and maybe still is, very close. ( I am reminded of this everytim4 I see Bale wqlking onto the pitch and his talking manner during interviews.)

 

SANTS FANS CAN BE MIGHTY PROUD OF HELPING IN THE FORMATION OF SUCH A FINE FOOTBALLER.

Edited 2 March, 2013 by ART

[hypochondriac]

Art you are a fruit loop