Watford confirmed yesterday with the Observer that they were planning to downgrade their academy status under the EPPP from Category 1 to Category 3.
The immediate effect is that Watford will no longer field an U-21 squad.
Long a source of pride (and players) for Watford and their fans, it is unclear what the long-term impact on the club will be of a downgrade of the academy.
One estimate is a savings of £2 million per year for the club, but the fear is Premier League squads will be able to poach young players for as little as £3,000. The ace up the sleeve for Watford may be its ties to Udinese & Granada as transfers out of the Football League are not subject to the EPPP. Those clubs would be able to loan the academy lads back to the Hornets.
Time will tell if the academy's productivity is maintain in the future.
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