Fan column: Wolves decline inexcusable amid academy concerns

We’ve borne the brunt of some atrocious decision making in recent times; the misery of kicking-off in the Championship imminently the inevitable outcome of dumbing-down and contracting the operation as a matter of policy.

This hurts the most, but the hazardous waywardness doesn’t end there. The crass decision of not applying for Wolves Women to compete in England’s second tier had promotion been achieved.

The ensuing success of the team after such a kick in the teeth shamed the club into adopting a more progressive policy.

Molineux, a stadium in dire need of an overhaul rather than the occasional cosmetic lick of paint. And apparently, the academy decimated by apathy and negligence. An audit raised issues leaving Wolves needing to formulate a policy for improvement in order to remain in the higher Category One echelon.

The need for such action should never have been necessary to begin with had proper governance been in operation. In thrall to frugality; a clear pattern emerging throughout the club of managed neglect shelving ambition for parsimonious economy. A flawed absence of vision and immunity to remorse.

No self-respecting Premier League club as we recently were until we voluntarily constructed our own exit-strategy could consciously risk a demotion of their academy status. The cost-effectiveness of academies has long been open to debate but to allow facilities to degenerate and put that status at risk is bewildering and frankly, beyond embarrassing.

Lose Category One status and no longer can youngsters be recruited from any postal-code; you restrict yourself to the local catchment area. Competing in elite competition instead of operating against opposition of lesser quality again depends on prime status; budgets denude and the balance between development and affordability becomes a prime factor should Category Two become the destination.

In short, you virtually exclude yourself from securing a percentage of the best young talent available. False economy and an acceptance of diminishing standards.

The club should be steadfastly grateful for the remarkable take-up of season tickets given how badly we have been let down. It is time for some consideration for our commitment leading to a wholesale shift of emphasis based on striving proactively for success rather than happily remaining entrenched and static.

We’ve suffered accordingly for adopting such a limited scope of ambition. Allowing the academy to wastefully flounder inexcusable.

Some terrific players have graduated from the Wolves’ youth schemes over generations. Prodigiously misguided to put this at unnecessary risk.