Get involved! Send photos, video, news & views. Text SWINDON NEWS to 80360 or email us
10:40am Thursday 2nd July 2009
STUART Pearce revealed he will continue to scour the lower leagues for this country’s stars of the future, admitting Town’s bright young things could force their way into his plans.
In his role as England Under 21 manager Pearce has consistently used players who ply their trade outside the top flight, even delving into League One for the likes of Peterborough keeper Joe Lewis, Leicester’s Joe Mattock and Leeds sensation Fabian Delph.
Sean Morrison made the breakthrough into Swindon’ first team as a 17-year-old last season, and has been tipped for a career in the top flight, and Pearce insists that anyone with the talent to succeed at the top will get the chance to earn international honours.
“Maybe some of my thinking comes from my non-league roots, but no matter where you are playing your football if you are good enough to play for England, you are good enough. It’s as simple as that,” Pearce told the Advertiser, speaking at an event organised by England team sponsors Nationwide Building Society yesterday.
“There’s been Joe Lewis, Joe Mattock, Fabian Delph, who have all played for us when they’ve been playing outside the top two divisions.
“So there is no closed door - you don’t have to be in the Premier League alone, that’s for sure.
“If someone tells me there’s a good player down (at Swindon), or in the under 17s or under 19s who is decent then I will go along to have a look.”
Pearce was also full of praise for Town boss Danny Wilson - someone he pitted his wits against both as a player and a coach on numerous occasions.
“Danny is a very good boss with a very good CV behind him,” said Pearce, who lives in Wiltshire and managed the under 21s to runners-up spot in the recent European Championships in Sweden.
“He is a sensible manager who knows the game very well, and for Swindon I don’t think you can get a better manger at this stage. I expect them to do very well.”
For opportunities to win exclusive prizes, including tickets, signed shirts and the chance to meet the players, visit nationwidefootball.co.uk.
Leo Sayer, Swindon says...
12:26pm Thu 2 Jul 09
BigM, Swindon says...
1:07pm Thu 2 Jul 09
Leo Sayer wrote:Idiot!!
Morrison is Poo.
BillyLucas4me, Malmesbury says...
1:13pm Thu 2 Jul 09
bigbossman, swindon says...
2:22pm Thu 2 Jul 09
girlyred, plymouth says...
3:13pm Thu 2 Jul 09
tommyg, Swindon says...
5:05pm Thu 2 Jul 09
bigbossman wrote:danny wasn't too scared to put sean in as a regular last season
I would say only the same amount as that of those who stay at a smaller club hoping to play first team football only to not get the chances.
I agree what you say makes sense in principle, but managers of lower league teams are scared of losing as managers do not keep jops for long now so they will be too scared to stick with a young lad in the first team.
The only youngster I can think of coming through the youth ranks and staying at Swindon is Pook, and now he will struggle to find a league club.
However, Matthew Mills left before signing on as a YT and went to Southampton I believe and has since played for Man City, Coventry, Bournemouth and is now at Doncaster. As a first team regular.
Sean I have never seen you play but nothing good will come from you staying at Swindon, you will end up at Supermarine.
Enter your postcode, town or place name
Find your next job now in Swindon and beyond
Search Now »
Make a date in Swindon now!
Search Now »
Swindon homes for sale and to let
Search Now »
Cars for sale in Swindon and Wiltshire
Search Now »
bigbossman, swindon says...
12:03pm Thu 2 Jul 09
For a player to be playing for the U-21's, they need to be from a top premiership club or if they are from a lower league club it needs to be someone who is a regular first team performer.
I don't know how many games Sean played last year, but i'm guessing its ot 30+ which it would need to be.
For years Swindon have played their youngsters for 1 or 2 games but they never get a real chance so this is not a good club for youth. If Sean wants to make it at the top flight he should leave asap.