Cultured Football #59
Inner City Academies. Testing Owners. Slave Trade in Football. Galatasaray's Demise. Xavi's Barcelona
I could have filled this weeks’ Cultured Football with articles on the Real Madrid vs Barcelona classico. But, of course, I didn’t.
Time for Academies to reconnect with the inner cities?
By Simon Austin for Training Ground Guru
The establishment of the academy system forced English clubs to take the development of players seriously which often meant the setting up of lush training complex in the outskirts of the club’s home city. This, whilst obviously great, had the side effect of taking a part of the club away from its community making it harder for youths there to really aspire to be part of it. Which is why Aston Villa’s decision to create a satellite of its academy in the Birmingham city centre is such an intriguing move.
Reading Time: 5 minutes
Owners and Directions Tested
By Martin Cloake for The Football Fan
A lot has been said about football club owners, where the money is coming from and the roles that associations must play in ensuring that there is the necessary gatekeeping in place. Yet organised fan groups need to assert their ability to see the bigger picture if football's ownership crisis is going to be resolved satisfactorily.
Reading Time: 8 minutes
The Dark Side of the Beautiful Game: Football’s African Slave Trade
By Saikat Chakraborty for Football Paradise
For many young African footballers who migrate to Europe, their challenge is not to break into the starting XI, but to find something to eat, somewhere to sleep. This is the sad truth of one form of the modern African slave trade.
Reading Time: 6 minutes
Where is Galatasaray going?
By Louis Young for Breaking the Lines
Galatasaray played valiantly against Barcelona in the Europa League but ultimately could not get anything out of their two games. That, in itself, is not surprising. What is surprising is that Galatasaray are struggling in the Turkish league. How has this downturn come about?
Reading Time: 6 minutes
How Xavi Has Reignited El Clásico Rivalry
By David Segar for The Analyst
Xavi has managed to halt Barcelona’s decline since coming in. Is his team ready to give Real Madrid a tough game in this weekend’s El Classico, however?
Reading Time: 7 minutes
Last Week’s Most Read
Like it or not (and I’m definitely in the not liking it camp), you’ve probably heard about Socios. And whilst their attempt to ‘monetize’ fans’ interactions with clubs is disgusting, I can also understand why clubs might be attracted to it. This brilliant piece of investigative journalism, however, shows that there is more rot in this venture then first meets the eye.