Highly-rated Hull City youngster Dan James ‘lost’ to Swansea City for £72,000
| Posted: June 25, 2014
SWITCHED TO READING: Harry Cardwell was another young star who left Hull City last year.
THE importance of transforming the Hull City academy has been highlighted for the second consecutive summer after losing highly-rated teenager Dan James for just £72,000.
Twelve months on from Harry Cardwell's switch to Reading for a similar compensation figure, the Tigers have been dealt another heavy blow with the exit of James to Swansea.
The 16-year-old South Hunsley High School pupil turned down the chance to sign scholarship forms with City in favour of a move to the Liberty Stadium, ending a seven-year association with the Tigers.
City were powerless to prevent either rookie from moving on due to the Elite Player Performance Programme rules, with both Cardwell and James opting to join superior academies.
"Our big challenge is keeping hold of players because we've lost two players in the last 12 months," said City's academy manager Tony Pennock, who ironically sees James head off to Swansea eight months after he left the club.
"Harry Cardwell last summer and now it's Dan James going to Swansea. That's the problem we've got.
"We're trying to address it as quickly as we can because if you're a Hull City fan you should want to stay at the club and play for them.
"Everyone has got their own choices and decisions to make and I respect that. I wish Dan James all the very best.
"We're disappointed to lose them but I don't see that as recruitment. I see that as cherry picking.
"It's a shame because they've both been at the club since they were nine."
James was regarded as one of City's brightest prospects.
As well as representing Wales under-16s in the Victory Shield tournament, he made his debut for the Tigers' reserves aged 16 in a 5-2 win over Hartlepool in March.
City had hoped James could be persuaded to serve an apprenticeship with his hometown club, but Swansea's swoop leaves them with just £72,000 as compensation.
That figure is set by a tariff based on the number of years a youngster has spent at a given club and would rise sharply if James was to break through into senior football. Every 10 Premier League games he plays for Swansea, for example, would net City a windfall of £150,000.
That fails to pacify Pennock as he comes to terms with the exit of a potential star but he accepts the onus must be on City to convince the best youngsters to remain in East Yorkshire.
"The staff that have played a part in their upbringing should be very proud because they're two excellent young players," said Pennock.
"To keep hold of players we've got a job to do in making Hull City's academy attractive enough for them to stay.
"Ultimately we have to give them the best education in football and in life that we possibly can.
"In the past I don't think the academy has had the tools or the financial backing to do that. We want the best local lads here, simple as.
"If you're good enough you'll get there. They will get their opportunities here, no question."
20 comments
I don't think the majority of you have any idea what you're talking about! I know Daniel personally so I know that he isn't a Hull City supporter and never has been so he hasn't been unloyal at all! Hull City is the only local development club which is why he played for them, not because he supported them! I'm pretty sure at 9 years old he wasn't going to move to Swansea just so he can play for them to ensure that he is being "loyal"! Secondly, the facilities at Swansea are outstanding with huge gyms and training and playing pitches which are 100x better than anything Hull City could offer him! He would have been crazy to not have taken this opportunity that has the potential to change his life in the future! Hull city have not brought through 1 player which are horrific statistics considering that they are now a premier league team! Furthermore, I am very aware that Hull are NOT becoming a category 2 next year so Daniel would be stuck playing the same teams over and over again and barley developing, whereas at Swansea he will be playing against people who are much better and more developed! In addition to this, I think it is abhorrent that somebody can comment on a family they know nothing about! This is a job for Daniel, not for them so in no way are they "money grabbing" as he is actually probably receiving less at Swansea than what they were offering him at Hull, which is the complete opposite of the statement given by a deluded individual! He is going purely for his development and nothing else which is the best decision somebody can make! Finally, he does have family in Wales which makes it extra convenient! I think some of you deluded fans need to understand what is going on, before you make a comment on something you know so little about!
juslt a complete lack of loyalty from these money grabbing youngsters, parents alike, 7years bringing this lad on and the other one last year, they and there parents should be made to sit in a school class room and told to write the word " loyalty" over and over again, good riddance
Our youth training facilities are a field and a clubhouse. Same with the 1st team. They are way behind a lot of clubs now. We need to sort it ASAP to give us a chance to develop our own local players.
MillenniumMan Reluctantly; I was contemplating a lengthier repost to your retort to my original comment - "This is quite worrying that a 16 year old kid would up-root to a different country to join a club such as Swansea, something is obviously very wrong with City's youth set-up..!" but I guess the minus eight score you've received so far say's it all for me..! "don't be a bIgot" c'mon do me a favour.
If he think's its time to move on and the money's right... Forza CITY
Sorry to hear that we are loosing local talent in this way. I seem to remember recent articles in the HDM telling us about the partnership arrangements with Bishop Burton College, how the college has itself invested in sport and in wider education for sports people of the future, not just football. Sop here we have Dr Allam and his family investing in not only the Tigers but other sports too. New Acadamy Staff, articles attracting young footballers and their teachers/trainers to make contact with the club, Steve Bruce mentoring and encouraging them with contact with the main squad......I am very encouraged that progress is being made on this front and quickly. Can't wait for one of these lads to break through soon. He will get an extra roar from me! UTT
Brave lad going to a 3rd world country. Good luck.
VoiceNReason: I think you'll find that most players, if not all, at the KC are motivated by money first and club second. That is the reality of professional football. As for the kids leaving for Swansea, they are simply doing what appears best for their development at the present time. There is little room for sentiment in professional sport, though the World Cup is an exception to a degree (note the comment of Samaras re 'his people, after scoring the winner last night). Players have short shelf lives and will generally act in accordance with that knowledge. If Swansea have a superior academy then it's a no-brainer to go there, I guess, especially with the Welsh club's reputation for promoting a certain way of playing.
MilleniumMan.... last time I checked my geography, Hull is in England and Swansea is in Wales. Err that means different countries. The UK is not a country, it's the United Kingdom. I don't think it's very nice of you to call the other poster a 'bigot' when his point is absolutely accurate. No one has called you names just because you don't understand the concept of the United Kingdom.
They have also lost Lewis Norvock to Burnley from the same under 16 squad