Sam To Focus On Youth Development

Last updated : 10 December 2004 By Mark Heys
Bolton manager Sam Allardyce wants to have 40% of the first team consisting of homegrown players which have been brought through the clubs youth system.

Allardyce attended a conference this week and stressed to those involved, that the club's youth element is just as important as consolidating Bolton's place in the Premiership.

Since his arrival in October 1999, the Bolton boss has seen a number of youth players make their first team debuts, prime examples are current first team regulars Kevin Nolan and Nicky Hunt.

Reserve players Ricky Shakes and Joey O'Brien have also played some part in the first team this season having played against Yeovil Town in the Carling Cup.

"I intend to focus on the academy we've started here, and my biggest challenge now is to concentrate on developing that. I want to have 40 per cent of the team coming through that way" Allardyce said

"It is bigger than staying in the Premiership to me as it will still be here after I have gone" he added

Below is a list of all the youth players to have made the first team since Sam Allardyce took over five years ago.

Dean Holden (debut vs Fulham, November 1999)
Kevin Nolan (debut vs Charlton Athletic, March 2000)
Chris Downey (debut vs Sheffield United, May 2001)
Nicky Hunt (debut vs Sheffield United, May 2001)
Cleveland Taylor (debut vs Stockport County, January 2002)
Wayne Buchanan (debut vs Tottenham Hotspur, February 2002)
Danny Livesey (debut vs Liverpool, September 2002)
Charlie Comyn-Platt (debut vs Walsall, September 2003)
Ricky Shakes (debut vs Tranmere Rovers, January 2004)
Joey O'Brien (debut vs Yeovil Town, September 2004)