SPEAKING at a highly successful Premier League Coaches Conference Boro chairman Steve Gibson hailed the talent already in and that which has been produced by Boro's Academy.





The event was held this year at Rockliffe, the centre for much of the development of Boro's youngsters, Mr Gibson said: "I think you have to start with the area and the area in which we live is a working class area and we play football.





"We have one of the biggest leagues in Europe for junior football, so our kids, the region's kids, are out there playing football.





"Maybe not as many as 10 years ago, but we encourage our kids to play football through the schools and in local league football, but we have to make sure that we know those kids and Dave (Parnaby) has an unbelievable knowledge through scouting networks of all the kids playing football in this part of the world.





"It's very difficult to turn water into wine, so some of the skills have got to be there, some of the skills are God given, and then we coach them better.





"There are many elements that go into making a good player. We talk about lifestyle and making sure they get the best coaching possible and I think that the structure we have means we look not just at the playing ability, but we have to let the football come out of the boy or the man.





"Sometimes its extraordinary how often the football can't come out because the person with the talent isn't allowed to let it show."





Mr Gibson continued that at Boro's Academy, players are coached by coaches who will encourage them every step of the way, on and off the field.





"We get them early enough to be able to influence what they do and how they do it and I think our record for a town with a population of 150,000 is quite extraordinary.





"We have Dave, Ron Bone, Paul Jenkins, I could name them all - all have had a very important part to play in that. Because of our reputation it just makes it a little bit easier for us to track the better talent.





"We have a superb coaching staff who have doctors and sports scientists and dieticians to help. These guys have been here for a long time and we listen to them. It's important for the young lads to live the life of a player who can comfortably get through a season.





"They have to live their lives in a way that gives them the best possible prospect of competing in the PL. "





In front of a packed and captivated audience, Mr Gibson passed on some simple words of advice.





"My advice to the youngsters here tonight, and Dave gives it to them every day, is so, so, so important, listen to your coaching staff.





"They have been there, they have done it and they know what it's about - and don't listen to the outside noise - listen to the people who have earned to right to advise you and that's the advice I offer for anyone in the 12-20 age group.





"The problem with football, if there is a problem with football, is there is too much outside advice. We struggle sometimes with agents knocking on a parent's door and having an opinion about a kid. Some of them are for example ex car salesmen, and I am really enjoying this rant and thank you for giving me a chance to air it!





"I know our manager and some coaches were surprised when they came to this country, surprised that teams in twelfth with nothing to play for want to smack you across the park, they said it would never happen in Spain. They now know that every player in every team has to compete.





"I met up with Bryan Robson a couple of months ago and he said, "bloody hell, I see you now and its moved on again from when I was playing. Everyone's a bit bigger, a bit faster, everyone's a little bit stronger. You don't get to the top level of the game without application and dedication.





"Everyone sitting in this room, every coach, this is what they are looking for."







