Trent Alexander-Arnold of Liverpool has launched ‘The After Academy’ – an initiative to help young players who have been released by football clubs. BBC Sport & BBC Radio 5 Live asked readers and listeners for their experiences with academies, and many of them spoke of feeling a loss of identity after being let go. Richard, 35, from Newcastle said he was “devastated” when he was dropped from an academy and felt like he had no personality or identity. This led him to slide into drug and alcohol addiction which he still struggles with today. Others spoke of struggling with their mental health, while some still deal with the physical impact of injuries. Ryan, 18, from Brighton said he still “feels lost” three years after his release. Rich from Wrexham said he was released by Aston Villa and Coventry as a teenager and believes the emotional wounds are hard to heal for most young footballers. Tom, 34, came through the Reading system before being released at 19. He took a scholarship to play for Team Bath and study at the University of Bath before forging a career in finance.
Many parents also got in touch, criticizing some clubs for ‘selling a dream’ to too many youngsters. Billy from Ayrshire said his son’s experiences of academy football in Scotland left him with “numerous unhappy memories of crushed boys and families”. Neil from Dumfries pointed the finger squarely at clubs’ greed in stockpiling young players, only to discard the majority. Philip from Plymouth classes his son’s release from a club academy at the age of 16 as a “very lucky escape” because it enabled him to stay at school and study A-levels before continuing his education in the US, where he is undertaking a biochemistry degree and playing football in their college system.
Crystal Palace received praise for the way it supports young footballers faced with such situations. When the Eagles enhanced their programme in 2022, chairman Steve Parish said: “We have a duty and moral obligation to nurture and guide all the 200-plus players within our care.” The Premier League’s director of football, Neil Saunders, said: “Ensuring the academy experience is a life-enriching one for every young player is a key part of taking a broader view of success.” The EFL said there was an increasing awareness of the issue among clubs who were taking measures to improve in the area.
The After Academy initiative launched by Trent Alexander-Arnold is an important step in helping young players who have been released by football clubs. It is clear that more needs to be done in terms of providing aftercare for these players, and it is encouraging to see clubs such as Crystal Palace taking steps to ensure that these players are supported. It is also encouraging to see the Premier League and EFL taking steps to increase awareness of this issue and ensure that young players are prepared for life outside of professional sport.