Expert issues ‘unprecedented’ claim as Brentford U-turn confirmed
Brentford have pulled a U-turn on their “unprecedented” 2016 decision to close their academy.
That is the view of training ground Ben Dinnery, who runs the Premier Injuries site and has a background in injury and data analysis.
As relayed by Training Ground Guru last Saturday (16 July), Brentford have confirmed that they will re-open their academy from the start of the 2023-24 campaign.
The Bees will operate a Category Four facility that focuses on under-17s upwards.
They made the decision to shut down their academy six years go on the basis that it was not then financially viable.
Dinnery explains that the Bees have the infrastructure and staff in place to ensure that the re-launch goes smoothly.
“It wasn’t a decision that was taken lightly back in 2016 as it was almost unprecedented at the time,” he told Football Insider’s Adam Williams.
“Discussions have been taking place behind the scenes building on the back of where they finished in the top-flight last season and where they see themselves going in the future.
“In the background of this, Brentford have been running a B-team, so it isn’t as though they have moved away from the development side completely.
“They have still been managing a squad apart from that first team as well. It also means they have the staff and infrastructure in place to do this.
“This isn’t their first rodeo. They have a good understanding of the requirements are for this Category status.
“There may be one or two teething problems but nothing major. They have got the experience and staff to smooth things over in that transition period.”
In other news, Newcastle United told to sign striker better than Ivan Toney after journalist’s £40million Brentford reveal.