YORK City Head of Youth Development Dan Wilson opened up on the progress of the academy players, after the under-19’s secured the National League Academy Cup last Wednesday against Woking.

A second-half strike from Kieran Clayton clinched silverware for Tim Ryan’s side, with many supporters urging the first-team to hand opportunities to the younger players, especially after a 15-match unbeaten run for the young Minstermen.

Wilson explained the process behind individual player developments, but admitted it had been tough, with the security of players at risk due to higher-division clubs being able to poach players without having to pay compensation to the Minstermen.

The Head of Youth Development also heaped praise on some of the younger sides, who are also celebrating similar success to the under-19’s after reaching cup finals and lifting titles.

“It’s really tough to map out a plan for young people.” Wilson told the Press.

“We know what age groups are doing really well, so our under-14’s have just won their league and they’re off to the National finals and have got a county cup final this weekend.

“Our under-16’s have just won their league and they’re off to the National finals days.

“We know where our talent is and there is talent in other age groups as well, but whilst we don’t get any protection we could lose any of those players at the drop of a hat for nothing.

“We’ve had it this year, we’ve had Premier League clubs come and take players that have been with the club for six years for no compensation.

“For a Football League club, we would get five figure sums for those players that would be reinvested in the academy.

“We can’t do that, so long-term planning as a National League academy is tough.

“We don’t always see those players in a York City shirt, they appear elsewhere so it becomes a little bit trickier to do that.

“Once we get them into that under-17’s, we get a little bit more security on them and it’s more about having plans around individuals.

“I wouldn’t like to share them in the public eye as those players are protected, but we’d love to shout about some of the stuff we do even more.

“Unfortunately we’re a bit of a free hit for other clubs who have heard about them and can take them for nothing.

“It’s a tough situation to be in.”