Nixon backs new EPPP

Carlisle managing director John Nixon has backed the proposed changes to youth development throughout the Football League.

Nixon believes the proposed changes are the best way forward for the English game. Football League clubs are currently compensated by a tribunal system when Premier League clubs recruit their young talent, but, under the new Elite Player Performance Plan, they will be paid a set compensation fee based on each year the player has spent in the youth system. The changes are geared towards identifying the most promising young players as early as possible and to develop them to their full potential within the best facilities the country can offer, catering for educational, coaching, social and personal needs. Nixon said: "The best example we have seen of the type of system we are heading towards is over in Spain. Clubs like Barcelona and Real Madrid take boys from a very young age and develop them and educate them, and they receive high-quality football training along with normal school lessons to meet their national curriculum requirements. "The end product is a group of young players who can step up into the professional game at a very high level, and go on to have successful careers. Their national team has seen the benefit, and we have all seen the success they have had recently. "Here in England, we haven't had that level of success since 1966. By finding these young players early, and by providing quality training and development facilities it's hoped that our national team will begin to follow the same path."