Episode 18 - Huddersfield Town Academy restructure with David Threlfall-Sykes and Emyr Humphreys

The boys get a rare insight into a professional sporting environment this week, as they sit down with club representatives from Huddersfield Town FC to talk about the impact restructuring their Academy set up in 2018 has had. Since the restructuring - going from a Category 2 Academy to a Category 4 - the club have not done much by way of media to provide context to how things are going lower down, thanks largely to a Premier League relegation and Championship struggles for the First Team. Communications Director, David Threlfall-Sykes and Academy Manager Emyr Humphreys were able to provide an incredible, first-hand and honest account of what's been going on. We talk; reducing the number of teams, bespoke fixture lists, player recruitment, pathways to the first team, attractiveness of the club, a through-club playing identity, investment and much more. It's a fascinating listen and an incredible insight into the changes made in elite sport - a huge thanks to David, Emyr and the club for their time, expertise, context and insight. The boys then offer a quick opinion on Gareth Southgate's latest England squad for the upcoming opening World Cup Qualifiers. We discuss who is unlucky to miss out, who is lucky to be there and who has a lot to prove in advance of the Euros in the Summer. We close with a prediction for the opening qualifier against San Marino - the worst ranked International team in the World. Enjoy the listen. Trust the Process. What's Next? Follow the Pod on Instagram: @whatsnext.pod Follow the Pod on Twitter: @whatsnextsport