Branthwaite, McKenna and EFL fields of dreams.
Carlisle United and Ipswich Town highlight the importance of the pyramid
Power of the pyramid, part 6,456. I was at St George’s Park yesterday afternoon, listening to Gareth Southgate name his 33-strong England training squad for the Euros. Those taking particular pride and interest included Carlisle United. The centre-back Jarrad Branthwaite and two of Southgate’s goalkeepers, James Trafford and Dean Henderson, all began in the Cumbrian club’s academy. Carlisle have just been relegated to League Two but their influence on the Premier League – and England – remains. And the elite should never forget that.
Given its location, Carlisle have no other rivals for local talent so they offer a field of dreams for those aspiring to become professionals like Branthwaite, Trafford and Henderson. But, of course, all the bigger clubs know about Carlisle’s successful academy and come calling. The Elite Player Performance Plan allows for compensation but it is still modest when set against the hard work put in by club staff and coaches and what these stars eventually go for. Branthwaite, Trafford and Henderson are worth £100m+ between them.