What a few weeks it has been for Newcastle United, and particularly their cup hero Dan Burn. Beating Liverpool at Wembley in the League Cup ended a 70-year wait for silverware for the North-East club (discounting their 2006 UEFA Intertoto Cup win in 2006 馃槣), and adding to the romance of the occasion, the winning goal was scored by centre-back Burn, who grew up supporting the club. But there is more to the story: Newcastle released Burn from their academy when he was 11, believing he wasn't good enough to make the grade. How poetic, then, that Burn, born in Blyth, should be the player to score at Wembley and secure the League Cup. 馃弳
Never, ever beat Dan Burn; he's from Blyth ... and Darlington, Fulham, Yeovil, Birmingham, Wigan, Brighton, and Wigan (again)!
We need to develop a 'turn-back time' before reaching a scholarship or a professional contract. Set out, before the ascent begins, what the young player and family are happy to carry on with and what they are not.
Read next
"It's a huge challenge, and it's one that we face every single day"
From a player's and family perspective, if others are protecting their own position, then you have no choice but to do the same. Where is your evidence that you are good enough?
What happens when clubs get releases wrong?
A release is a moment in time. One point in a long process. A chance to be honest and reflect. A chance to critique feedback and re-prioritise.
Extreme Ownership
In ownership comes a level of freedom we can't accomplish without some hard work.