Why West Brom's academy pool is ready to roll once again

Sep 19 2009 by Ken Montgomery, Birmingham Mail

THERE was a time when Albion’s youth system was the envy of many.

Ally Robertson, Bobby Hope, Bryan Robson, Derek Statham and many more were part of a production line of talented players coming through at the Hawthorns during the 1960s and early-to-mid 70s.

Since then the number has petered out with few exceptions.

Daniel Gabbidon was promising only to be bombed out to Cardiff. Adam Oliver and the Chambers twins – Adam and James, the first twins to play together in the Premier League – followed him, but they too failed to make a huge impact.

Oliver was forced to retire with the brothers finding homes elsewhere, James most recently pitching up with Doncaster and Adam at Leyton Orient.

Lloyd Dyer, too, came close but he never really bettered his opening campaign when he was no more than a super sub for Gary Megson’s promotion side of 2003-4.

He had already been released by Villa before then.

But now the production line is ready to roll once again.

The club’s status as an academy means that no longer will they miss out on youngsters to Villa, Wolves or Blues.