[hilly81]

It has been confirmed that, subject to the successful completion of an EPPP audit, the Chesterfield academy will retain its Category 3 status.

Director & company secretary Ashley Carson announced the news following a meeting with academy manager Mark Smith and Adie Shaw, who is an EFL youth development regional manager.

Carson said: “All options were considered when we assessed plans for the future of the academy, but we think it is vital that we retain it. We are now in the process of completing the necessary paperwork to secure EPPP funding for the next three years.

“The academy structure starts at under-9 level. We do, however, realise the importance of recruiting and developing players from the Chesterfield area so we are looking to introduce a Centre of Excellence for the younger age groups from next season.

“We have seen a number of academy graduates make the step up to the first team this season, which is testament to the hard work put in by Mark Smith and his staff. We now need to build on that and develop even closer links between the academy and the first team.”

Carson added: “As part of the continuation of the academy, we will be looking at all costs associated with the running of it.”

Read more at http://www.chesterfi...V66w0Am0EcvZ.99

[spireitenag]

hilly81, on 15 March 2017 - 10:02 AM, said:

It has been confirmed that, subject to the successful completion of an EPPP audit, the Chesterfield academy will retain its Category 3 status.

Director & company secretary Ashley Carson announced the news following a meeting with academy manager Mark Smith and Adie Shaw, who is an EFL youth development regional manager.

Carson said: "All options were considered when we assessed plans for the future of the academy, but we think it is vital that we retain it. We are now in the process of completing the necessary paperwork to secure EPPP funding for the next three years.

"The academy structure starts at under-9 level. We do, however, realise the importance of recruiting and developing players from the Chesterfield area so we are looking to introduce a Centre of Excellence for the younger age groups from next season.

"We have seen a number of academy graduates make the step up to the first team this season, which is testament to the hard work put in by Mark Smith and his staff. We now need to build on that and develop even closer links between the academy and the first team."

Carson added: "As part of the continuation of the academy, we will be looking at all costs associated with the running of it."

Read more at http://www.chesterfi...V66w0Am0EcvZ.99

It's nice to finally have a piece of positive news out of CFC.

Mark Smith and his staff are doing an excellent job.

Long may it continue.

[dim view]

hilly81, on 15 March 2017 - 10:02 AM, said:

It has been confirmed that, subject to the successful completion of an EPPP audit, the Chesterfield academy will retain its Category 3 status.

Director & company secretary Ashley Carson announced the news following a meeting with academy manager Mark Smith and Adie Shaw, who is an EFL youth development regional manager.

Carson said: “All options were considered when we assessed plans for the future of the academy, but we think it is vital that we retain it. We are now in the process of completing the necessary paperwork to secure EPPP funding for the next three years.

“The academy structure starts at under-9 level. We do, however, realise the importance of recruiting and developing players from the Chesterfield area so we are looking to introduce a Centre of Excellence for the younger age groups from next season.

“We have seen a number of academy graduates make the step up to the first team this season, which is testament to the hard work put in by Mark Smith and his staff. We now need to build on that and develop even closer links between the academy and the first team.”

Carson added: “As part of the continuation of the academy, we will be looking at all costs associated with the running of it.”

Read more at http://www.chesterfi...V66w0Am0EcvZ.99

Fair do's.
Please don't cock up the audit Ashley. We've not been very good at them in recent years. Also Ashley, if you want a small dedicated committee to run the cost centre then I'm sure you'll get many offers of help from volunteers on here.

So, it looks like ITSC's team will provide very young prospects and other coaching schools can compete to provide older prospects. I'm good with that.

What a mess Turner left us in with this. It could have been a real winner.

[Benno Spire]

Finally, a bit of positive news

[brockwell-spireite]

good news, watched various age groups and we've got some very good lads.

This post has been edited by brockwell-spireite: 15 March 2017 - 12:49 PM

[CFC91]

Great news.

[dtp]

[quote name='dim view' timestamp='1489573240' post='1289141']
Fair do's.
Please don't cock up the audit Ashley.

This post has been edited by dtp: 15 March 2017 - 03:08 PM

[DIFH]

spireitenag, on 15 March 2017 - 10:14 AM, said:

It's nice to finally have a piece of positive news out of CFC.

Mark Smith and his staff are doing an excellent job.

Long may it continue.

And lets hope all the funding goes towards the Academy - reep what you sow Mr Carson.

[Looker-on]

Quote

subject to the successful completion of an EPPP audit...

Should we be worried about this? Might they be interested in what last year's money was spent on?

[valemadness]

Looker-on, on 15 March 2017 - 03:28 PM, said:

Should we be worried about this? Might they be interested in what last year's money was spent on?

Academy and development school are and always have been 2 different things. The academy, which includes the youth team is run by Mark Smith and from what I've been told is done very well. The development school was a total shambles and nothing to do with EPPP.

[dim view]

valemadness, on 15 March 2017 - 04:17 PM, said:

Academy and development school are and always have been 2 different things. The academy, which includes the youth team is run by Mark Smith and from what I've been told is done very well. The development school was a total shambles and nothing to do with EPPP.

Looker on is speculating that funds that should have been earmarked for Mark Smith's Academy never reached him. Some might say that Mark, as Manager, should have kicked up a fuss, but he didn't 'cos he's a football man and he relied on Turner to help him. The result was that his cost centre appeared in the accounts as a loss maker. Hence the offer to help him run it.

[The Earl of Chesterfield]

Good news on the face of it.

And could this be another area where pressure from 'Bob's Board' members may, just perhaps, have influenced thinking?

One thing, though.

I'm told by folk who know about such stuff that Mark should have upwards of a third of a million pounds in grants and sponsorship available.

I suggest CFC place those funds into a designated account so everyone can see it goes to the Academy, and the Academy alone.

[Bankrobber]

Looker-on, on 15 March 2017 - 03:28 PM, said:

Should we be worried about this? Might they be interested in what last year's money was spent on?

It certainly sounds an odd thing to add.

A cynic might say it's excuses being put in early.

[DIFH]

MDCCCLXVI, on 15 March 2017 - 05:02 PM, said:

Good news on the face of it.

And could this be another area where pressure from 'Bob's Board' members may, just perhaps, have influenced thinking?

One thing, though.

I'm told by folk who know about such stuff that Mark should have upwards of a third of a million pounds in grants and sponsorship available.

I suggest CFC place those funds into a designated account so everyone can see it goes to the Academy, and the Academy alone.

Hopefully the company plastic buckets will be surplus to requirements.

[Sammy Spireite]

Given the level of funding, and the furore surround the club and its various youth development "arms" whoever takes on the role of 'sorting out' the academy will have a massive responsibility on their hands.

The clubs reputation is already in tatters by the (totally unconnected) fiasco over the road, we know the club has reviewed the current set up and rumours abound that it was going to be closed and a separate business academy set up 'linked to the club' (yeah, am sure that's a good idea and hasn't been tried before!) have circulated, and been denied I believe, via social media.

The club have also confirmed they have been warned to they need to sort certain things out in order to retain cat 3 EPPP status by the regional EFL representative (who knows the club well) otherwise they're in danger of losing a few hundred grand in funding for the club (sorry, did I say club? I meant academy, obviously).

Lets hope next weeks announcement/appointment (if there is one) is met with the positivity and support it'll need.

[spireitenag]

Sammy Spireite, on 17 March 2017 - 10:20 AM, said:

Given the level of funding, and the furore surround the club and its various youth development "arms" whoever takes on the role of 'sorting out' the academy will have a massive responsibility on their hands.

The clubs reputation is already in tatters by the (totally unconnected) fiasco over the road, we know the club has reviewed the current set up and rumours abound that it was going to be closed and a separate business academy set up 'linked to the club' (yeah, am sure that's a good idea and hasn't been tried before!) have circulated, and been denied I believe, via social media.

The club have also confirmed they have been warned to they need to sort certain things out in order to retain cat 3 EPPP status by the regional EFL representative (who knows the club well) otherwise they're in danger of losing a few hundred grand in funding for the club (sorry, did I say club? I meant academy, obviously).

Lets hope next weeks announcement/appointment (if there is one) is met with the positivity and support it'll need.

Let's also hope that this doesn't lead to the departure of Mark Smith,to be replaced by someone else with previous town connections and the overall running of the Academy being overseen by some enthusiastic amateur.

[hilly81]

Carson:


Couple of updates before I set off to Bristol. Been a steady week. I have had a very good meeting with Mark Smith to discuss the Academy. Just to confirm that there is absolutely no worries that we will not be able to satisfy the EFL for funding. They accept things now, but there are a few things that need sharpening up and the budget needs looking at more closely. I do need help and support as I am no expert on the workings of the Academy. To that, I have asked Steve Coe of SBK Computers to assist me. He will have access to all the finances and operating costs of the Academy and in effect auditing the workings of the Academy and then provide an independant report back to me and the board. Steve is very qualified in this area and I thank him for offerring his time to help. I want to ensure that we tick every box for the EFL with confidence and have an academy to be proud of.

Gary and I will be interviewing for a Head of Recruitment / Chief Scout Position next week. This is something that is of paramount importance and the Owner is backing this position and someone to be appointed asap.

One of the offers to buy the club has been turned down. It did not in any way reach the numbers laid down by Dave Allen and infact they did not want to but everything. They were happy for DA to retain the ownership of the stadium. DA has made it clear that if he sells it must be a clean break. I await a response to see if they want to make a counter offer.

Next Season's Shirts will be arriving from PUMA next week for signing off, prior to production. We have to sign off every item and receive a sample of the shirts in various sizes to inspect.

Just arranging a start date now with Premier Pitches as to when to start work on the pitch. I have asked exactly what is being proposed and will let you know when I receive a report.

Here's hoping for 3 points tomorrow, safe journey to all who are travelling
AshleyC

[Zorro]

spireitenag, on 17 March 2017 - 10:42 AM, said:

Let's also hope that this doesn't lead to the departure of Mark Smith,to be replaced by someone else with previous town connections and the overall running of the Academy being overseen by some enthusiastic amateur.

I'm getting a worrying feeling that anyone who is not in the 'clique' of AC should be concerned about their jobs. I have heard that a change in the academy has been on the cards for a long time, I have a feeling that MS was a result of CT so his face won't fit now with AC. Bruno was a guest of AC's for last Saturdays game, coincidence that it was before the EFL meeting. I think there could also be grounds for constructive dismissal if the rumours that are going around are true. Steve Coe to take over the complete control of the academy and above Mark Smith? Andy Morris to be given a role? Is this a ploy to appoint a fans favourite to appease the fans if Mark Smith was to be removed? I understand that you have now made an announcement regarding Steve Coe. I know of several fans who volunteered free of charge to assist in the accounts, why wasn't one of them looked at to helping out? Drilling into accounts and reporting back to you for you to then issue a statement is not necessary transparent drilling. You stated that CFC would maintain the Cat 3 status but we are so close to losing it. £16k on kit wash coincidentally matches the wage of the old kit man. How many CFC employers were paid from the academy? How and why does it cost our academy £500,000 to run?
We have more funding coming into our academy than most other clubs, Mark Smith has done a fantastic job of bringing players through, what is it now? 6 current fringe players? Doesn't that alone generate £60k through funding? Isn't the figure £10k per player?

I know Ashley, let's get rid of anybody who might talk to the fans and replace them all with YES men and then you can go on Facebook and say what you want to your adorning fans. I'm sure a few of the ladies on there are wanting your babies!!! If you are going to speak or give information, then please give the truth and not more bullsh*t. A good liar has to have a very good memory and I'm now at the point where I am sick and tired of your spin!!

Let's start speaking truthfully. Carol was replaced by you with CT because Carol was recruited by BH. You appointed CT as a figurehead and a patsy for your needs. You have been acting as the CEO since day 1 and you were not happy with the amount of information that was being leaked from within. You got rid of Alan Walters because he asked too many questions, you got rid of Alan Stevenson & Gary Cook because they were not yes men. Paul Watts? Anthony Heywood? Be honest, who appointed Fitgerald? I think you have cleverly used Chris Turner and made him out to be the bad guy. Fitgerald took the fall for Rafflegate but why was the issue of Fitzgerald swept under the carpet for placing a bet on PNE to beat us in Cooky's last game? The man wasn't very bright as he used a CFC credit card to place his bet. Why did the owner only want to give him a written warning for Rafflegate? What was the strategy of replacing the printers with a new printer where it was going to cost us loads of money? Why would the club give the new coach company the itinerary of away fixtures and the prices from Slacks? Surely there should have been a price saving and not a like for like cost?

Why don't the club release the video and recording of Paul Cook when he was on his way out? Why don't you show his passion and tears when he was leaving somewhere he didn't want to but actually forced out?

You talk about the current board, what exactly do Mike Warner and John Croot do on your board? What say do they have? Nodding dogs spring to mind.

You had earmarked Richard Herrick before RN was released and you had given him the nod way before any due diligence was carried out.
You had earmarked your new kit man as soon as Steve had announced his retirement and dismissed any other applications. You even went as far to say that Steve or the club couldn't contact the guy from Leicester. Well, I heard that an interview had been arranged and you directed someone to message him and tell him sorry but the role has been filled.
An accountant doesn't fit well as a guy who should be responsible for kits, a guy with plenty of experience at Leicester City and who lives in Sheffield would surely have been a better choice even on paper as an ideal replacement for Steve.

I hope the players and GC are happy with your appointment, I hope nobody sees him as a spy!!

I know you read this board and you will clearly see that I am well and truly peed off. Why do you go out of your way so much to alienate so many fans and sponsors?
I don't think you will ever know what being a supporter of this club really means. Being a Spireite is something special and I'm afraid you will never be a Spireite. Dave Allen came here and we are all truly grateful but he saw it as a business and a way to make a quick buck over 5 years but he did not account for the fact that further investment was needed to bring the success and 'chickened out' at the 11th hour when the Championship was more possible than he had imagined. To you, it is merely an ego trip of being in charge of a football club, it's probably a good hobby for you to have. Do you fancy racing pigeons instead?

Bob

[Mr Mercury]

Needs a thread of its own..superb!

[spireitenag]

Zorro, on 17 March 2017 - 03:41 PM, said:

I'm getting a worrying feeling that anyone who is not in the 'clique' of AC should be concerned about their jobs. I have heard that a change in the academy has been on the cards for a long time, I have a feeling that MS was a result of CT so his face won't fit now with AC. Bruno was a guest of AC's for last Saturdays game, coincidence that it was before the EFL meeting. I think there could also be grounds for constructive dismissal if the rumours that are going around are true. Steve Coe to take over the complete control of the academy and above Mark Smith? Andy Morris to be given a role? Is this a ploy to appoint a fans favourite to appease the fans if Mark Smith was to be removed? I understand that you have now made an announcement regarding Steve Coe. I know of several fans who volunteered free of charge to assist in the accounts, why wasn't one of them looked at to helping out? Drilling into accounts and reporting back to you for you to then issue a statement is not necessary transparent drilling. You stated that CFC would maintain the Cat 3 status but we are so close to losing it. £16k on kit wash coincidentally matches the wage of the old kit man. How many CFC employers were paid from the academy? How and why does it cost our academy £500,000 to run?
We have more funding coming into our academy than most other clubs, Mark Smith has done a fantastic job of bringing players through, what is it now? 6 current fringe players? Doesn't that alone generate £60k through funding? Isn't the figure £10k per player?

I know Ashley, let's get rid of anybody who might talk to the fans and replace them all with YES men and then you can go on Facebook and say what you want to your adorning fans. I'm sure a few of the ladies on there are wanting your babies!!! If you are going to speak or give information, then please give the truth and not more bullsh*t. A good liar has to have a very good memory and I'm now at the point where I am sick and tired of your spin!!

Let's start speaking truthfully. Carol was replaced by you with CT because Carol was recruited by BH. You appointed CT as a figurehead and a patsy for your needs. You have been acting as the CEO since day 1 and you were not happy with the amount of information that was being leaked from within. You got rid of Alan Walters because he asked too many questions, you got rid of Alan Stevenson & Gary Cook because they were not yes men. Paul Watts? Anthony Heywood? Be honest, who appointed Fitgerald? I think you have cleverly used Chris Turner and made him out to be the bad guy. Fitgerald took the fall for Rafflegate but why was the issue of Fitzgerald swept under the carpet for placing a bet on PNE to beat us in Cooky's last game? The man wasn't very bright as he used a CFC credit card to place his bet. Why did the owner only want to give him a written warning for Rafflegate? What was the strategy of replacing the printers with a new printer where it was going to cost us loads of money? Why would the club give the new coach company the itinerary of away fixtures and the prices from Slacks? Surely there should have been a price saving and not a like for like cost?

Why don't the club release the video and recording of Paul Cook when he was on his way out? Why don't you show his passion and tears when he was leaving somewhere he didn't want to but actually forced out?

You talk about the current board, what exactly do Mike Warner and John Croot do on your board? What say do they have? Nodding dogs spring to mind.

You had earmarked Richard Herrick before RN was released and you had given him the nod way before any due diligence was carried out.
You had earmarked your new kit man as soon as Steve had announced his retirement and dismissed any other applications. You even went as far to say that Steve or the club couldn't contact the guy from Leicester. Well, I heard that an interview had been arranged and you directed someone to message him and tell him sorry but the role has been filled.
An accountant doesn't fit well as a guy who should be responsible for kits, a guy with plenty of experience at Leicester City and who lives in Sheffield would surely have been a better choice even on paper as an ideal replacement for Steve.

I hope the players and GC are happy with your appointment, I hope nobody sees him as a spy!!

I know you read this board and you will clearly see that I am well and truly peed off. Why do you go out of your way so much to alienate so many fans and sponsors?
I don't think you will ever know what being a supporter of this club really means. Being a Spireite is something special and I'm afraid you will never be a Spireite. Dave Allen came here and we are all truly grateful but he saw it as a business and a way to make a quick buck over 5 years but he did not account for the fact that further investment was needed to bring the success and 'chickened out' at the 11th hour when the Championship was more possible than he had imagined. To you, it is merely an ego trip of being in charge of a football club, it's probably a good hobby for you to have. Do you fancy racing pigeons instead?

Bob

Well said Rob !

Sadly there's probably so much more to come.