It is vital that we don’t overlook the young footballers being cut from the system at this pivotal stage of the season (From breakups to contract minefields: it’s make or break time for academy players, 31 December).
Many academy footballers have dedicated most of their childhoods to putting in thousands of hours of training, chasing a dream, only for it to be cut short when released from their contracts. At worst, we have seen young people turn to crime and self-harm, and suffer great psychological trauma.
This can’t be allowed to continue. There is a postcode lottery for aftercare when you are released. Support gets considerably patchier the further you move down the pyramid, due to a lack of resources. Psychological support for young players must be embedded in academies right from the outset.
Coordinated investment from the Football Association, the Premier League and the English Football League would go a long way to helping all clubs grow their psychological workforce and giving released academy players the support they need and deserve.
Stephen Smith
Chair, sport and exercise psychology division, British Psychological Society
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