The recent European Championships were a terrific spectacle. England’s absence from the tournament may have detracted from the enjoyment of it for some but the failure to qualify should, more than anything else, be a wake up call to the people in charge.

The deficiencies in the English game are there for all to see. While there is undoubted talent available it is distinctly limited. The idea that English players are any less technically gifted than the rest of the world is laughable. Geographical location of birth has no bearing on abilities. The raw materials are there for all however it is the youth system that is letting it’s country down.

England has everything to offer a talented and precocious youngster finding his feet in football. A passion for the game, open spaces, top coaches and a wealthy government, however these important ingredients are not being harnessed to their full potential and many young footballers are slipping the net.

While what may follow may be considered speculative rhetoric and hot air, I believe a set up such as the one I am about to detail, would be a benefit to all; kids, players, managers, the government and the nation’s football supporters.

Step One: Youth systems abolished for all league clubs. Annual contributions, based on a pro rata system, dependent on annual revenue, will be provided from the 92 league clubs (all football league clubs competing in the upcoming season) to fund the scheme. The FA, Premier League and Local government should subsidise the scheme and which would provide a healthy annual budget.

Step Two: Six regionally based academies are established, based on the population of a geographical area. Loosely set out as: South, London, East, Midlands, Wales*, North

*Wales are included as it is the English and Welsh Football Association and Cardiff/Swansea/Wrexham are usual League members.

Step Three: Each region is based on seven year-group categories - 11 through 17. Regular school classes are taken alongside their footballdevelopment at these regional academies. This way, every trainee grows up knowing his team mates in and outside the football environment. It would also instil discipline and respect in a boys school type environment and mean that should players not make the grade they are able to gain employment in any other field. Encouraging language courses at this level will make players more adaptable and allow them to play abroad more often in future, should they so wish, raising the profile of the English game.

You're currently logged into Facebook

Do you want to share your Bleacher Report activity on Facebook?