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18 BEES REVIEW THE BIG INTERVIEW: SHAUN O’CONNOR “Arsenal was a closed door, I couldn’t employ people. “Here I’ve got an open one - I can employ who I want on the basis that it stays within the recruitment budget. “We now have one of the biggest recruitment networks in London - if not in the country - and are still growing. “I give everybody an opportunity, if they are good enough, but if they’re not, I’ll tell them. “Management skills with managers and parents are major factors to become a good scout, because the first impression of Brentford is them. “If I feel they won’t give the Club a good reputation then they won’t work here. “What we have here is a talent ID course that we’ve developed ourselves, and we put new scouts through that first before they can go out onto the parks. “If gives them an idea of the levels, and also some understanding of how we profile individuals, and what we’re looking for in a player.” The recent opening of Brentford Academy’s Indoor Training Centre in partnership with Uxbridge High School is seen as a landmark achievement. “It’s massive for the Club,” said Shaun. “Others are looking at us now and thinking ‘what is going on at Brentford?’ “Brentford were never seen as any type of competition in London at all, until now. “It will bring players to the Club, especially if we get to the Championship, making it more of an attraction to bring boys to us. “Branding is another major factor, I hear it all the time that they don’t want to bring their son to a League One Academy. “We’re not a League One Academy - we’re a Premier League one. “I’m sure other staff members will tell you that, and our EPPP [the Elite Player Performance Plan] audit shows it. “Ose has set up an outstanding programme here, you can’t compare it with other clubs, and it’s above others in London. “I still think some Clubs are dismissive even now, because they can’t understand the change at Brentford, we are definitely a player in London now. “The important thing is that the staff at the Club keep working at it, we have a good work ethic In the team.” Shaun’s phone is always active, and there’s rarely a moment where I see him off it, even getting 30 minutes for this interview is a blessing. “I’m drained every day because it’s non stop,” said Shaun. “When I do go on holiday, I still take my phone with me because that call could be a top player going elsewhere if you don’t answer it.” Age is not a barrier to working in Brenford’s Academy either. “We’ve given lots of younger people opportunities,” said Shaun call us on 0845 3456 442 or visit www.brentfordfc.co.uk
“Some have left and gone on to other clubs, as we can’t afford the wages of some Premier League Academies, but it’s a good learning environment here.” The new EPPP regulations have changed the way professional youth development is governed in England, with that appears to be a bias towards Category One Academies that are in the main Premier League Clubs. “There are new guidelines in regards to scouts been qualified next year,” said Shaun. “The biggest change so far is that other clubs representatives are allowed to come in and watch our games, which is very frustrating, but this is something we all must get used to. “It’s all for the benefit of big Category One Academies. “When visiting scouts and coaches do come to our games, they have to report to us before a game, are then guided to a designated area, and are escorted away afterwards, away from the parents. “Personally, I would stop the influx of young foreign talent, we need to get it right in this country so our players are as good” said Shaun. “Perhaps until 20, 21 to give English kids an opportunity to play men’s football and to give them a chance to blood themselves into First Team football. “Young players at 17 or 18 are not getting opportunities, and clubs are bringing players from around the world, who are ready made and will get that opportunity ahead of ours.” The thing Shaun dreads is telling parents their son isn’t good enough. “Even now, I find it difficult to tell a player and his parent that he’s not at the level that is required at Brentford,” said Shaun. “I’ve been in the same position as a parent with my son, it’s the hardest part of the job and I hate it. “When a boy has been at the Club four or five years, it’s their life, it’s very difficult.” “Shane O’Gorman covers South East London and Kent, and Limahl Erb in South West London. “We also have a very good team covering our pre-academy recruitment: Joshua Dorlikar, Robbie Spencer, Chris Scudder, and Lee McCarthy. “Without the efforts of these main scouts this operation does not work and I can’t thank them enough for what they have done for us over the last four years.” Shaun sees Mark Warburton’s appointment as manager being positive for the Academy. “Mark looks at the Academy closely,” said Shaun. “If a player is good enough, he’ll give them an opportunity. “Long term, that’s the way the Club wants to go, we want two or three coming through the system and playing, and Mark’s a big supporter of it.” His short term hopes for the Academy are simple. 19 BEES REVIEW “We do our best to try and protect the players, and I’m sure the parents can see the development programme is better than most. “Parents are attracted to brand names, so it’s the norm that they think a Premier League academy will be better than a League One Academy, but they need to look first before they make that assumption. “Unfortunately parents are not educated in regards of long term development, understanding that their boy’s training between six and 14 - it is so important.” Given a magic wand to improve young English players’ chances of making the First Team at their club, Shaun spoke of his desire to limit non UK footballers at Academies. Shaun reiterated that recommendations from Brentford supporters are always followed up. “Not every player would be looked at,” said Shaun. “But I can assure that if they look like they have potential, we’ll send a scout to watch them.” His scouting network is now vast, and paid tribute to the coordinators that ensure talent is watched on a daily basis. “I’ve got Barry Chapman, who’s our Surrey Scout Co-ordinator, Justin Girdler, in Berkshire and Buckinghamshire, Colin Brown in West London, Mark Hayman in Hertfordshire and North London, plus Nick Mead covers East London and Essex. “In the next two years I’d want to see one or two of our boys from the Youth Team make their league debut,” said Shaun. “We’ve had boys play in the First Team, but I’d like one that goes in there and cements their place in the team.” Feature sponsor REAL FANS REAL FOOTBALL … in th We pro focu
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