Academy football is facing a huge crisis in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. Clubs are finally preparing for their youth teams to return to training later this month – most are back on Monday July 27 – after finally being given their own separate training protocols and risk assessment programmes similar to Premier League level.
But an even bigger issue is for smaller clubs within the Elite Player Performance Plan set-up and the dilemma for EFL clubs as to whether to carry on funding their academies.
Salford City, part-owned by the ‘Class of 92’ group of former Manchester United players, were considering departing the programme but have decided to stay in for now.