The always excellent United Youth site has an article about a former Red, Christy Fagan, and his call up to the Republic of Ireland’s Under-21 side.
It’s always great to keep track of former Reds, however minor or trivial their contribution to the history of the Club.
Re. the United Youth article, it seems to me that there are intriguing possibilities with the concept behind the Glenn Hoddle Academy (GHA)
Presumably, the GHA’s facilities at the “plush Montecastillo Resort in southern Spain” costs money to set up and run. How does it finance itself? The site indicate that successful applicants are provided with a full scholarship “with free board and accommodation” but the scholarships are granted “subject to contract”.
In addition, the GHA playes matches against unnamed Spanish sides. Does anyone know whether the GHA are in a competitive league? If so, does it mean that the GHA owns the players’ registrations?
Regardless, the concept behind the Academy sounds like an interesting alternative to the standard player-football club model.
Red Season 
As a follow-up, Paul Fletcher has written a fine post on “Football’s last-chance saloon” on the BBC site. (http://tinyurl.com/codgjo)
I know they play against teams like Xerez CD first team, Seville FC reserves, Malaga CF, Reserves, Real Betis reserves, Cadiz CF.. and english sides like Manchester City reserves, Southampton reserves, Chelsea reserves…. I don’t think they play a league as they develope and improve players so playing a league would not give that time to develope a player I understand.
You can get this info and more by watching the videos I found in youtube
http://www.youtube.com/glennhoddleacademy
Great concept, idea and good future. They got a player on loan at the moment in Northampton, and some players getting some trials in England and Spain at the moment to try and get a contract this summer.
Thanks for the info and the youtube link, Tapasboy. Looks like the “trialists” get a chance to play against some quality opposition teams (although Premiership teams no longer take their reserve teams seriously).
When you hear of so many late-developers in the game, I’m sure there will be some success stories coming out of the GHA in the near term.
Right now, after the Fulham debacle, I’m thinking of shipping the entire United first team squad over there.