‘We thought it was normal’: Portsmouth hall of famer reveals secret of academy success

Andy Awford reflected on Pompey’s academy heyday and admitted: ‘We thought it was the norm.’

And the Blues hall of famer insisted big spending isn’t necessary to deliver a successful youth set-up, as he highlighted the key components to an impressive development record at Fratton Park.

Awford was the man at the academy helm between 2011 and 2014, aside from some temporary spells in the first-team set-up, as a host of exciting talent emerged.

The likes of Adam Webster, Conor Chaplin, Dan Butler, Adam May, Alex Bass and Ben Close came off an impressive conveyor belt of young gems, with Jed Wallace recruited as an 18-year-old from the non-league game.

Awford believes having the right team in place allowed the set-up to thrive in a period which offers the former defender a sense of pride.

He said: ‘When I look back at my time as academy manager I’m immensely proud of what we did.

‘I had a great team of people, the staff like Paul Hardyman, Jon Slater, Sean Duggan, Ian Buckman, Macca (Alan McLoughlin) and the rest - they all played their part.

‘I’m proud, but looking back we just did what we did. 

‘Paul came through from an era when a lot of kids got their chance like him, Kev Ball and that group. I came through with Shaggy (Darren Anderton), Kit (Symons), Powelly (Darryl Powell), Stuart Doling & Co and I think maybe we thought it was the norm. Actually it’s not.

‘We brought Webbo (Webster), Wallace, Chaplin, Butler, May, Bass and Ben Close through. When you look at the group they are all still playing now at a very high level in the pyramid.

‘They are all earning livings and doing great, but importantly they are all humble, proper people.

‘We as a staff take great pride in what we did, without really knowing how successful we were. We thought it was just normal.’

Awford believes his period at the academy helm proves players can be unearthed without the need for big budgets.

He acknowledged the resources of Category One academies meant some high-profile talent was lost to rivals, but the Pompey set-up was still a success story without a wealth of facilities.

Awford added: ‘We did it on nothing really. The club had to invest some money, but if you’ve got good people who are prepared to put in the effort and work you then build trust.

‘The fancy facilities do help for recruitment. We lost a couple because we couldn’t compete with them up the road and what they had to offer. You do lose a couple for that.

‘Then there’s Mason (Mount) going to Chelsea and (John) Swifty going to Chelsea and (James) Ward-Prowse going to Southampton. I don’t blame them one bit.

‘I still speak to Paul Hardyman once a month and reminisce about how great those times were. We had a great medical team, sports science, recruitment a great coaching team from under-nines to under-18s. It was just a great time.

‘We knew the local area and what it took to get a kid from the school playground to the pitch. We knew what qualities were needed to get a player on to the pitch at Fratton. Knowing the city as we did and the people we did gave us an advantage. I loved it and being given that responsibility was brilliant for me.’

• Awford is now director of football at Mango Football, who are hosting their Ultimate Player Experience events in Portsmouth on May 30 and May 31, at the new King George V football complex in Cosham. May 30 focusses on boys and girls aged 13-14. May 31 focusses on boys and girls aged 15-16. For full details visit Mango Football