16 BEES REVIEW uwl.ac.uk/ bees call us on 0845 3456 442 or visit www.brentfordfc.co.uk * According to Employment Performance Indicators (EPI) figures published by HESA on 4 July 2013. Graduates who have studied an undergraduate degree programme.
THE BIG INTERVIEW: SHAUN O’CONNOR in football other than watching Arsenal,” said Shaun. “I got involved in the scouting side of things due to Gary Karsa, who’s now Head of Football Operations for Paul Lambert at Aston Villa. “His and my boy were both in the Academy at Tottenham Hotspur, and he got the job as Academy Director at Barnet. “He had no help at all with recruitment, and asked me to join.” Shaun’s skill is to pick talent in a young footballer. “Even from day one I had a very good eye for potential in a player,” said Shaun. “It’s something that’s come to me, however some players can be outstanding at nine or ten, but when they go through puberty, some of them don’t fulfil their potential.” Last month, Crawley Town signalled their intention to close their Academy due to funding issues, and Barnet’s relegation to the Conference was the trigger for Shaun’s involvement with the club he supports. “I was at Barnet for around two years,” said Shaun. “Unfortunately they got relegated from the Football League [in 2001], and they closed the Academy down. “Everybody knew how busy Barnet were in the local area, and Roy Massey at Arsenal saw the type of work we were doing, and he gave me the chance to run their Potters Bar Development Centre, which I took up. “I was in charge of the six, seven, and eight year olds, which is a major area of recruitment for the bigger clubs, it’s massive for them.” Shaun’s last match covering Barnet was a game against Luton Town, where an unknown footballer called Jack Wilshere for the visitors caught the eye. “My first recommendation for Arsenal was him,” said Shaun. “What he had was pace running with the ball, his aggression – putting this foot through the tackle rather than leaving it there. “Comparing him to my son, who was a little bit older, this boy was on another level.” Arsenal paid compensation to Luton and got their man, but Shaun feels on occasions scouts are frightened to act if they spot a player. “Sometimes people are scared to make a decision or a recommendation they are afraid get it wrong,” said Shaun. “But you have to trust your judgement. “You must have a gut instinct that if you look at a player, he’s going to be a talent or to get him through the door to at least have a look at him. “All your looking for is potential in a player, being bright, good technique, a little trick to their game, but it’s so difficult because they change so much, and they’ve got a long way to go. “Intelligence is a major factor, they’ve got to be able to solve problems, and be able to play in high intensity situations.” Academy signings are speculative. “It’s always a punt,” said Shaun. “There are no guarantees; Messi was doubted at 14 and certain individuals at Arsenal didn’t think Wilshere would be a player.” Shaun undoubted ability to spot a player ensured he moved up the ranks at Arsenal. “I grew into the job, and was very active,” said Shaun. “Because I ran a plastering business for 20 years, my management skills in setting up projects, and handling people came into play. “From Herfordshire, I moved into East London and Essex, where I picked up Chuba Akpom, who was recently on loan here, and Chris Willock, who will be another top talent.” In 2009 Shaun left Arsenal’s Academy. “I couldn’t achieve what I wanted to in the role,” said Shaun. “I wasn’t allowed to create the structure and network that the Academy required and grew frustrated in my role. “I did the knowledge, got my badge, and tried being a cabby for ten months. “During that time I had a number of offers, but the Brentford job came up with one at Tottenham. I decided this was a better project, a blank canvas, and do it how I wanted.” Shaun’s first thoughts were that the talent base at the then Centre of Excellence required raising. “My first analysis of the players was that it was at such a low level,” said Shaun. “There wasn’t a single scout at the Club bringing players in, which was the first thing we looked at.” Enlisting an army of scouts is no easy thing, but Shaun got to work straight away. “That was done first of all by advertising for people that wanted to get involved,” said Shaun. REAL FANS REAL FOOTBALL 17 BEES REVIEW
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