We are firm believers of having a good Newcastle youth system (on this web-site) so occasionally we will spotlight some of our excellent young talent coming through the Newcastle Youth Academy.
The youth team and the enhanced scouting system Glenn Roeder has put in place over the last two years is exactly what Newcastle United need in order to have a good pipeline of young local talent coming through. All credit to Glenn Roeder for this.
The scouting system will also allow us to capture the global talent we need to identify talent quickly – so we don’t have to keep paying out huge transfer fees for top players.
The first player we will spotlight is this year’s winner of the ‘Wor Jackie Milburn Trophy’ – eighteen year old Andy Carroll.
Andrew Carroll was born January 6, 1989 in Gateshead – which is on the south side of the River Tyne from Newcastle. He attended the Brighton Avenue Primary School, and Joseph Swan School.
Andy joined the Newcastle Academy and during the last two years has starred for the Newcastle Youth team who have twice reached the semi-finals of the FA Youth Cup.
Last year they were narrowly defeated by Everton and this year were beaten by the winners of the last two years – Liverpool.
In this year’s final Liverpool defeated Manchester United on penalties – and the semi-finalists were Liverpool, Manchester United, Arsenal and Newcastle – which tells you the club is doing an excellent job at the academy to be with such illustrious company.
Andrew at the moment stands 6’2†tall and Roeder likens him to Peter Crouch – which is interesting given that Roeder tried to sign Crouch in January of this year.
Andrew accepting the 2007 Wor Jackie Milburn Trophy
Jackie Milburn – the GREAT Wor Jackie
Andrew is qualified to play for either Scotland or England but it looks like he will go with England – and soon get a cap at the under 18 level.
Manager Glenn Roeder recently talked about Carroll:
“Brian Eastick, who is one of my predecessors at the Newcastle Academy, is now with the Football Association and he has informed us he would like Andy in the England under-18 squad in the next few weeks. As a result Andy did not go up with Scotland last night, even though they and Archie Knox are desperate to have him.
As far as I am aware Andy has until the end of the week to make up his mind.
It is his own decision and we will go along with whatever he decides.
Roeder sees a lot of Peter Crouch in Carroll as he continued:
“I remember watching Peter Crouch as an 18-year-old on the training pitch at West Ham United and at the time I had no idea he would go on to be such a success – and good luck to him. Andy is in the same mould as Crouch in as much as he is going to be way more than six feet tall.
Who knows, he could be as successful as Crouch has turned out to be.”
Andy was given his first-team debut in a UEFA Cup tie against Palermo on November 2, 2006, when he appeared as a late substitute and became the youngest ever player to represent Newcastle in Europe – at the age of 17 years and 300 days.
He then made his debut in the FA Cup in the home defeat to Birmingham City, appearing as a substitute for the last 10 minutes.
On 25 February 2007, Andy made his Premiership debut for Newcastle, coming on as a substitute in the 87th minute in the 1-0 defeat to Wigan Athletic, almost scoring in the process – and only a good save from Wigan Athletic goalkeeper John Filan prevented him from scoring his first senior goal in a Newcastle United shirt.
In 2007, as we have mentioned – he won the ‘Wor Jackie Milburn Trophy’, given each year to the rising star of north-east football.
Carroll is now contracted to the club until 2011 having recently signed a 4 year contract – and it may be that we will send Andy out on loan for next season to get some games under his belt. If we do we may need to bring in another striker to bolster Ameobi, Owen, Martins and Sibierski.
Certainly I’m sure all fans will hope that Carroll makes it at Newcastle – good luck to him – and may he score many goals for Newcastle in the future!
10 responses so far ↓
1 David // May 3, 2007 at 4:40 PM
I used to go to school with Andrew Carroll. He will be a top player!!!
2 Ed Harrison // May 3, 2007 at 4:58 PM
David – good for you – also since Andy has just turned 18 he could still put on a few inches in height!
3 W // May 3, 2007 at 5:20 PM
My friend in university used to go to school with Steven Taylor. Brilliant. The shot John Filan saved was a brilliant volleyed shot (if anyone can get a video of it pass on the link to me please). If i remember correctly he reshaped his body well for the volley and struck it well and sweet reminiscent of Stevie G. This shot is further evidence of the player possesing quick feet. What I would like to see is for him to learn skills and techniques (stuff of legends) from the legends themselves (Peter and Alan would be sufficient). I want this player to be able to get past his opponent because that’ll be a good addition to his repertoire, a good secret weapon in his armory. I don’t want this player to be in Crouch’s mould, i want him to be more than that – to score goals.
Ed- Good idea, up next Kazenga Lua Lua perhaps?
4 W // May 3, 2007 at 5:36 PM
“We’ll go along with what ever decision he takes.” Roeder quote. Do you think that’s a well thought out decision- to leave the matter without advice and counsel from his supposedly mentors? I mean there might be differences in both choices that can play a hand into the boy’s future, such as his coaching for instance. Hmm.
5 Ed Harrison // May 3, 2007 at 5:39 PM
W – I think that was the politically correct answer from Roeder.
Since Andy has a choice he’ll need to make it – but I’m sure he’s talked it over with his family (father) – think England would be a good choice – more difficult to get in England side – but hey – if you’re good enough!
6 Ed Harrison // May 3, 2007 at 5:42 PM
W – yes – I think it’s good to frame the up and coming guys – because they are important to the club – and maybe we should do it about once a month – around the first of each month – we’ll spotlight one of the youngsters (or should I say the bairns).
We’ll ensure young Lua Lua is next up.
7 Raza // May 4, 2007 at 7:22 AM
So we got one good guy coming up, what about the other 10 ?!
8 Ed Harrison // May 4, 2007 at 8:42 AM
Raza – we have a number more coming along – like Lua Lua and young Tim Krul to mention two…not to mention Huntington, Edgar, Ramage and Taylor – who are of course closer to the first team – not a bad record for starters – and hopefully we’ll get better.
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