Duncan Smith, speaking as an individual MP rather than on behalf of the Conservatives, has accused the Football Association of failing to keep their promise of a "root-and-branch review" of the game following England's failure to qualify for Euro 2008.
What's Wrong With English Football? I'll Tell You!
The problem with the lack of youngsters coming through the ranks can be answered with one simple question: "how many kids were playing computer games on Christmas morning ... and how many were out playing football?"
For generations of youngsters in this country, getting a new football and a football strip would be top of the Christmas list, and I remember fondly the time when kids couldn't wait to get out and play football.
But now we blame the lack of "grass roots academies", and any other excuse that happens to mask the fact kids don't leave their homes these days.
Football, to the current younger generation, is played out in "vitual computer games" NOT on a football field.
African footballers are flooding the game in Europe, and how many of those graduated through "roots and branch academies"?
NONE!
For generations of youngsters in this country, getting a new football and a football strip would be top of the Christmas list, and I remember fondly the time when kids couldn't wait to get out and play football.
But now we blame the lack of "grass roots academies", and any other excuse that happens to mask the fact kids don't leave their homes these days.
Football, to the current younger generation, is played out in "vitual computer games" NOT on a football field.
African footballers are flooding the game in Europe, and how many of those graduated through "roots and branch academies"?
NONE!