Bring on Liverpool FC says Birmingham City Academy manager
Terry Westley described it as a ‘delight’ for Blues to be in the FA Youth Cup semi-finals.
And the Academy manager said the prospect of taking on Liverpool over two legs would not daunt his under-18 charges.
Blues, who had six first year scholars in the side that beat Watford 1-0 last night in the quarter-finals at St Andrew’s, have been the competition’s surprise package.
And considering the comparatively huge youth budgets their rivals can draw on, it is some achievement for the club to have got this far, for the first time since 1985.
Said Westley: “We’re the only Championship side left. You look at Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester City and Birmingham in the semi-finals. Whether you talk about the first team or youth development, they’ve got great stature and great history.
“For us to be playing against that sort of opposition, to be amongst them, is a delight.
“The way the boys have worked and they way they have tried to change over a period of three years, they deserve their bit of praise.”
Westley has worked doggedly to change the ethos at Blues Academy since his appointment in the summer of 2006.
