Coach bangs drum for parks football; JUNIORS: Wembley winners showcase local talent the academies might miss.

Byline: Lisa Smith

IMAGINE if Arsenal had never discovered Ian Wright, England Stuart Pearce or Blues Scott Dann.

All of those might never have been found had it not been for schools football.

Many of today's top players come through academies but there are still hidden gems discovered on park pitches every weekend - raw talent which can be plucked from obscurity and thrust into the limelight.

But as more and more schools drop football as an extra-curricular activity through a lack of volunteers and as more district leagues go to the wall, a Birmingham-based coach believes young talent may be lost to the game forever.

Mark Fogarty has worked on both sides of the fence as head of development at Blues and as an academy coach at Walsall, and has also run successful soccer schools for many years.

He believes that club academies often let youngsters slip through the net and says that resources must be put into parks football to ensure future stars are not lost.

Fogarty said: "I have worked in academies and in district football and know how they work.

''There are also a lot of good people out there coaching kids at weekends and after school who are discovering natural talent.

"Some youngsters are simply missed by scouts, others are released, only to go on and be better players, but if we don't protect district football now, players will be lost forever."

Fogarty believes more money should be put into grass-roots football, particularly as he has seen first hand how many talented young players slip through the net.

"Players like Scott Dann would never be playing today had they not been spotted on a pitch somewhere. He didn't come through an academy,'' said Fogarty.

"There is always a place for academies and the excellent preparation they provide to mould young players into professionals but there is also a place for district leagues.

"Youngsters sometimes get a more rounded footballing education and can be tougher and less sculpted if they have been allowed to play with their mates or their school.

"I am not saying academies cosset young stars but there is no better education than playing park football."

Fogarty revealed an excellent example of the success of district football was the Solihull District Side, which is selected from all the primary schools in the borough.

The squad is coached by John Reidy and John Connor, and this year won a national seven-a-side schools final at Wembley.

Reidy said: "We scouted Solihull for the best grassroots players and watched more than 175 youngsters all aged 11 and under.

"The squad went on to win the national finals, which really is testimony to the importance of grassroots football in shaping raw talent.

Since the trip to Wembley a host of these players have gone on to join professional clubs."

Solihull beat Southampton, Sunderland and Brighton at Watford's training academy on the way to the final before beating the Saints again at Wembley 2-1, with Bailey Ralph notching both goals.

"It would be a great shame if district football was allowed to go into demise," Reidy said.

"We want to make sure that this win was not just a oneoff."

CAPTION(S):

Wembley wonders: Back row: John Connor (coach), Ben Usher (Shipway), Leighton Smith (St Anne's), Bailey Ralph (St Anthonys), Callum Pritchatt (St Anthonys), Reece Mitchel (Monkspath), John Palmer (Dorridge), John Reidy (manager). Front row: Ryan Reidy (captain, Sharmans Cross), Callum O'Hare (Dorridge), Will Stride (Knowle Primary), Brandon Hague (Haslucks Green). Inset: Mark Fogarty (top) and Scott Dann.