Thabo Dladla is a highly committed youth coach and former professional player with AmaZulu FC. His
weekly 'Talking Football' column in a Pietermaritzburg newspaper focuses on the game at the
grassroots, not on the 2010 World Cup or the PSL. 'There is something wrong when a country with
over 48 million people and a huge football budget cannot produce good players,' writes Dladla this
week.
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Eighteen months ago, Chris Smalling was earning £5 an hour as a waiter while studying for his
A-Levels. Now he plays for Fulham and has agreed a deal with Manchester United for next season.
The talented defender admits that he will be star-struck when he first joins the club but
doesn't feel nervous about playing for United.
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Richard Eckersley joined Burnley at the start of the season, following in the footsteps of
another United youth product, Chris Eages. He made just four appearances for United and left with
the hope of more first team action.
However, it hasn't entirely gone to plan so far, with the 20-year-old finding himself sent off
on his Burnley debut in September and has only played twice since, both in cup games.
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As Oliver Gill is interviewed following the Reserves 2-0 victory over Everton, a fan can be
heard singing "Love United, hate Glazer!" in the background.
What would daddy think?
"VIDEO: LUHG Sung As Gill Jnr Interviewed" was originally published at
The Republik of Mancunia. Click to continue reading...
As I have written before Wolves under 18's took a record braking victory with 6-1 against Crewe the
other day. I promised you a report, but as I have been a very busy flea today and am very tired, I
will redirect you to the Official Wolves site instead. Their report is HERE Paddytheflea Filed
under: Wolves, [.
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Longpier 01 February @ 05:00 AM EDT
Nominations have opened for this year's 'Citizen of Southend' awards. It's time to recognise those
unsung heroes who perform selfless acts of kindness or make an outstanding contribution to the
community.
The awards cover two categories - Adult and Youth (under 19) – with nominations coming from
members of the public.
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Aaron Ramsey has today claimed the reason why he joined Arsenal instead of United was because he
was made to feel more wanted and he thought Wenger had brought through a lot more youngsters and
given them a chance.
Given that he is a self-confessed Manchester United fan, you have to worry he knows so little
about our manager.
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Wolves yesterday outclassed Crew in the Under 18's Premier League Group C. The Academy lads that
scored were Spray (3) Mendez-Laing (2) and Gorman. Wolves are now 5th in the tables with the same
amount of points as WBA and Bolton. Next match for Wolves is against Manchester City at home on
Wednesday at 11:00.
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Manchester United promising striker Danny Welbeck scored a wonderful goal in Preston North End
victory over Ipswich Town in a game which had many Manchester United connections.
Continue to the full story
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"People will always talk about the link between the Gaffer and his son, but I have just come
here to play my football and I am hoping to give 100 per cent for Preston North End," said
Welbeck. "I have been looking at the history of the Club and Manchester United and Preston
North End link well together and I am looking forward to playing for the club.
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Danny Welbeck has shown more promise than many of our youngsters for some time, scoring 2 goals
in 3 League Cup games this season, having played a total of 24 games for the club in all
competitions.
News broke this morning that Preston have signed Welbeck on loan until the end of the season,
which is often the practice for young players breaking through.
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Like Danny Welbeck did last season, Mame Biram Diouf scored on his home debut for Manchester
United, in last week's 3-0 win over Burnley.
Sir Alex Ferguson has now decided to keep him in the squad, whilst Welbeck, whose last
performance was his fairly dreadful outing against Leeds, which lead to him being subbed before an
hour played, has been shipped off to Preston on loan.
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East Lower 24 January @ 06:32 PM EDT
Stoke City 3-1 Arsenal
I said yesterday that Wenger had little choice but to gamble in today's FA Cup game. Gamble he
did – and he lost.
As expected, he chose a mixture of youth and experience. In the young corner were
Emmanuel-Thomas (first team debut), Coquelin (a lick of Milk Cup only) and Eastmond (one Premier
League start).
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Back in October I wrote a piece about Independent School's Football in an attempt to broaden
people's knowledge about School Football. At that time Shrewsbury School's 1st XI had just beaten
Lancing School of Brighton 2-0 in the 2nd round of the Independent Schools Football Association
Cup, and now, 3 months on, we're just 10 [.
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Wolves Academy players met Liverpool away this morning and revenged themselves for their loss in
the FA Youth Cup. Wolves had the first chance of the game after five minutes when our striker James
Spray shot wide after good work from Kyle Bennett down the left flank. Five minutes later Landell
had a chance to score when [.
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VOTE for Republik of Mancunia
"VIDEO: Diouf Hat-Trick Against Sunderland" was originally published at
The Republik of Mancunia. Click to continue reading...
Our Senegalese striker, Mame Biram Diouf, was granted a work permit in December and is now
awaiting his debut after settling well at the club.
He will wear our number "32″ shirt, formerly worn by Carlos Tevez.
"He has adapted very well to our training regime and has looked very impressive," said
Ferguson.
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Manchester United thrashed West Ham today, despite having the most make shift defence I can
remember us playing for some time. Tomasz Kuszczak played in goal, Darren Fletcher started at right
back, Evra at left back, and Wes Brown played with Gary Neville in the centre, until our captain
was injured in the first half and replaced by Michael Carrick in defence!
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I had a heated discussion with one of my mates last week after he was fuming over Sir Alex
Ferguson's decision to play a weakened side against Besiktas. Not known for my Fergie bashing, it
was fairly obvious which side of the fence I was going to stand.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not for one second claiming the manager always gets it right and never
fucks up, because of course we all know that he does.
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With the latest fuss conerning Sir Alex Ferguson's selection of the youngsters, Gary Neville has
moved to defend the players, claiming he doesn't see them as just kids.
22-year-old Darron Gibson has 5 caps for Ireland, whilst 21-year-old Jonny Evans has 19 caps for
Northern Ireland, and Neville believes that even though they're obviously still developing, they
are certainly Premiership quality players.
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Federico Macheda has signed a contract extension which will keep him at the club until 2014.
"I am very happy to commit my future to Manchester United," said Macheda. "I really
enjoyed myself last season when I came on and I hope to get more chances like that and contribute
to the team's success.
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Football supporters naturally like to see their club backing a strong youth policy. It's one of the
thing that makes people like me biased to Barcelona, and it's the only reason the Arsenal fans get
to hold the moral high ground, even if they haven't summited the Premier League table recently. But
when you come to [.
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bridge views 24 November @ 08:54 AM EDT
Like many Chelsea fans I've wondered why Daniel Sturridge has been given so little time to prove
his worth in a Chelsea shirt so far this season. When he joined in the summer from Man City I felt
it was a very positive signing: not an exorbitantly priced player in the twilight of his career and
a sign that Chelsea were genuinely looking to buy younger, but relatively established, talent.
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bridge views 24 November @ 08:54 AM EDT
Like many Chelsea fans I've wondered why Daniel Sturridge has been given so little time to prove
his worth in a Chelsea shirt so far this season. When he joined in the summer from Man City I felt
it was a very positive signing: not an exorbitantly priced player in the twilight of his career and
a sign that Chelsea were genuinely looking to buy younger, but relatively established, talent.
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Former Manchester United goalkeeping coach, Tony Coton, has revealed that Tom Heaton is looking
for a move away from the club this January, ahead of his contract running out in the summer.
The 23-year-old knows he won't be getting the opportunity any time soon at United so is hoping
one of the clubs interested in him comes in with a formal offer.
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Arsenal are a rather special team, for many reasons. Manager Arsene Wenger has been in the job for
more than a decade, which is an achievement in itself. In a day and age whereby managers come and
go like candidates to be Sir Alan Sugar's apprentice, 10 years in the job deserves a gold medal.
Secondly, [.
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Hatters Youth Boss Craig Madden has named his squad for tonight's FA Youth Cup first-round tie
at the Don Valley Stadium .
The Squad is as follows : Parisi; Disney, S Barnes, Halls, L Barnes, Murty, Hare, Williams,
Wilson, Darkwah, Fisher, Roberts, Ormson, Whitehead, Rowe, Lee.
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Rio to Spurs
With Rio Ferdinand suffering from poor form and repeated injuries, the papers have pencilled Harry
Redknapp in for trying to sign our defender in the summer. Rio seems to be gravitating towards the
London lifestyle again and next summer United might be looking to get back some of the £30m they
paid out for him eight years previously.
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This week and continuing from the close of the summer transfer window Arsenal have been linked
with many players, the majority being more young possible acquisitions. However today I have set
out to attempt to reveal what players are realistic signings in January.
Eden Hazard
Hazard is an attacking midfielder currently playing for Lille in French Ligue 1.
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Follow Barnsley vs United with the RoM live blog
"VIDEO: Welbeck Goal Against Barnsley" was originally published at The
Republik of Mancunia. Click to continue reading...
Manchester United take on Barnsley in the fourth round of the Carling Cup which on paper is one
of the easier draws of the round, given the several Premiership pairings to be played tonight and
tomorrow.
Still, United are no strangers to cup upsets and were even knocked out of the FA Cup by Barnsley
in the 97-98 season.
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Manchester United Reserves beat Oldham Athletic Reserves 3-0 in the Manchester Senior Cup, with
Gabriel Obertan getting his first 45 minutes of action under his belt since signing for the
club.
Febian Brandy, Sam Hewson and Joshua King were on the scoresheet, but Obertan drew in attention
thanks to his quick feet and impressive speed.
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You may be forgiven for thinking Independent School's Sport is centred around Rugby and Cricket,
therefore not realising that Football is in fact bigger than the two in most cases. Independent
Schools, such as the one I attend (Shrewsbury School), are renowned for their big playing grounds,
excellent facilities and top-class coaching, thus giving pupils [.
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Good times lay ahead, we know that anyway. But.... Good times could be 99% assured this
season should we sign two players this January. I know it is a while off January at this time
but I'm sure Wenger is already looking ahead so shy shouldn't we. I'm not gonna mention the papers
because as soon as the window shuts they are looking for the next window moves, but anyway.
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