Quote Originally Posted by Wales-Bales View Post
The standard of football in the local age-group leagues has always been fairly good, with some decent coaches giving their time freely. Expectation was managed, as it was only the very best players who rose to the top and got noticed, and they usually got invited to trials at their local clubs after being spotted by scouts.

The less talented kids got to play with other less talented kids in the B, C or D team, and they either stuck with it because they liked football or they moved onto something else.

Fast-forward to the present day, and thousands of parents think their child is going to be the next global superstar, which is laughable since such a tiny percentage even make it into the senior squad. Given these harsh realities, it's not surprising in a multi-billion pound industry that the thought of compensation might rear it's ugly head at some point.
The first two paragraphs i agree entirely, the filter system was already in place. I'm not so sure about the final paragraph, i don't think that parents think that their child is going to become a superstar, of course they may be biased, but if what you're saying is true then wouldn't we be seeing alot more of these situations arising with parents and clubs? I think the main difference now is that parents are much more involved with their kids interests, some of them make a social life on the back of their kids and it's not very healthy in my opinion. When i was training with the club three nights a week i'd get the bus down to the ground from school, sometimes my dad would meet me afterwards(filled with a few pints of Dark) and we'd get the bus home. There is more interest from parents although i don't think that it'll lead to compensation claims. Most people just don't have the time.