YPT resources

We give them the best environment and facilities to make them develop.

The one thing I can't do though is promise first team football. Only 1 or 2% actually make it to the top.

Of course, that means many are disappointed, but there are support facilities if they don't make it.

We invest a lot of money and time into the Academy but it's worth it.

Some of the players will naturally leave for other clubs, and that's just the nature of it. If we get a transfer fee for the player then that's good business.

Both Adam Green and Zesh Rehman have done brilliantly coming up from the Academy into the first team.

But the Academy is not just about churning out footballers. It's also making them into 'people' - decent citizens.

Football's had a bad name at times over the years. So we teach players about the dangers of drugs, alcohol and that behaviour on and off the field is very important.

There is more money in the game these days and how somebody reacts to the high wages and pressure depends on their character.

But we do not promote the idea of players being bigger and more important than others here!

We encourage team work and a good attitude towards fellow players.

It's so important to enjoy your football though, but to make it, you must be willing to work very hard.

Aouled Miguil - Fulham Academy player

I was about 12 when I got into football, which is quite late really.

And I've been at the Academy for a couple of years.

As a midfielder, I don't score that many goals and I'm quite a quiet player. But I do speak up when I have to!

Most people might think that all we do in the Academy is work on our fitness and football skills.

There is plenty of training, but we also have a school day during the week.

It basically means spending time in the classroom doing 'brain stuff'!

It's great fun though, interacting with all the other players. You get to find out a lot about each other!

We're also taught about the importance of behavior - on and off the pitch.

I feel strongly about all of this because we're ambassadors for the club and the game.

Computers is something else I'm really in to. I do a part-time course at the local college.

I know I might not make it in football so it's something to fall back on.

Obviously I dream about being a professional player. Patrick Vieira is one of my favorite players.

All the money, the cars and the girlfriends would be nice as a pro, but I don't think about that at all.

The money is not what drives me though. I just love playing the game.

There would be a lot of pressure if I did make it but I think I'd cope.

I admit I'm an Arsenal fan, but my dream is to get into the Fulham team.

Being in an Academy means loads of sacrifices. You can't go out with your mates as much as you'd like.

And it's really hard work. But I would definitely recommend it.