Ricky Duncan boosting Southend United's next generation

The Blues youngsters have gone eight games undefeated and trounced Peterborough United 9-1 away from home in their last outing.

However, under the guidance of head of youth Ricky Duncan, success at this level is no longer a surprise.

The highly-rated coach returned to Roots Hall in 2005 and has completely transformed the club’s youth set-up.

As a result, 30 players have risen through the ranks to play for the first team in the past 11 years while another 20 have been sold to higher clubs in transfer deals now running into the millions.

With that in mind, Blues’ academy is now rightly regarded as one of the best in the lower leagues.

And Duncan is proud of the work which has been done to turn things around.

Current crop - Blues' under 18 team

“I remember when no-one came here to watch our games and you just wouldn’t think Southend United would be a club to come and watch a young player,” recalled Duncan.

“But over the years, with the work of a lot of good staff, we’ve got ourselves a good reputation and now we’re constantly being scouted by Premier League and Championship clubs.

“We’re constantly being approached about players and their availability and I think it shows we’re doing things right.

“We’re right up there in terms of producing players now and it’s very highly regarded which is nice.

“It’s not just down to me though as we have a lot of good staff who worked tirelessly and it shows.”

Duncan was initially with the Shrimpers at the turn of the Millennium, when the youth system seemed far less of a priority.

He opted to join Cambridge United and spent four successful years at the Abbey Stadium before heading back to Blues in 2005.

And Duncan immediately knew a revamp was needed to improve the set-up at Roots Hall.

“There has been a massive change here and we’re really proud and pleased of where we’ve got to now,” said Duncan.

“The first year was tough and the first thing we had to do was assess the quality of the players.

“Luke Hobbs, who I brought with me from Cambridge, and I released 52 players which is unheard of really.

“But we needed a fresh start and we had to start recruiting the players who we felt matched what we were looking for.

“We’ve progressed from there and we have 140 players registered now.

“We also run shadow and development squads underneath that so it’s really grown over the years and we’re in a good place at the moment.”

Came through the youth system - Ted Smith

Subsequently, the Shrimpers are producing talented players to challenge for the first team squad with goalkeeper Ted Smith and attacking midfielder Jack Bridge involved in the Boxing Day victory against AFC Wimbledon.

Jordan Williams, Dan Matsuzaka, Jason Williams and Josh Bexon have also been called upon by boss Phil Brown this season.

And seeing players make the step up remains Duncan’s proudest moment.

“Producing players is all that matters really,” said Duncan.

“Winning games and league titles is great but it doesn’t mean anything unless players make the step up into the first team.

“We’ve had a few over the years with the likes of Johnny Herd, Franck Moussa, Stuart O’Keefe and Harry Crawford all having a taste of it.

“But the main two that stand out for me are still Daniel Bentley and Jack Payne.

“They both made a big impression when they got into the team, thanks to a lot of hard work from other coaches and players, and helped to get the club promoted into League One.

“They’re both now playing in the Championship but it never stops for us and the challenge now is to make sure we find the next youngster who is able to make the step up and hopefully make a similar impression for the first team.”

Backing the youth department - chairman Ron Martin

And Duncan is confident those already in the ranks will be capable of moving through, thanks to the continued support of the club chairman Ron Martin.

“Without the support of the chairman and the board we wouldn’t have the set up we have now,” said Duncan.

“He’s constantly in talks with me and is very supportive.

“He wants to progress it and whenever I have meetings with him I know we’re going to move forward.

“We’re also really grateful to the Shrimpers Trust as they have been a constant financial backer for us, which has been brilliant.

“And all the other sponsorship and support we’ve had has been important as well so I would like to thank them all too.”

SHRIMPERS FIGHT TO KEEP TOP STARS

RICKY Duncan insists the Shrimpers always fight to keep their top young players at the club.

Since returning to Roots Hall, Duncan has seen 20 youngsters sold to Premier League and Championship teams.

But Duncan continues to push Blues’ corners and revealed some top talents have opted to turn down moves to bigger clubs.

“We’ve had boys turn down Premier League teams,” confirmed Duncan.

Chose to stay - Jack Bridge

“Jack Bridge could have gone to one when he was 15 but he stayed at Southend because he’s a fan of the club and I think his dad is too.

“Several others have done the same and Kane Ferdinand turned down the chance to go to a Championship club when he was 16.

“Not everyone sees it as the right pathway but once one of them does then it’s hard to stand in their way.

“We do all we can and we don’t roll over but it’s every boy’s dream to play in the Premier League.

“For some of them, making the move at an early age has not worked out but for others it has.

“However, the fact we keep on having to have the conversations with our players means we’re doing something right.

“And so does the international call-ups we continue to receive across the age groups.”

PHIL BACKS YOUTH

BLUES’ first team boss Phil Brown has selected a product of the club’s youth system in all 194 of his matches in charge.

Brown remains fully behind the Shrimpers’ academy.

And Duncan enjoys working closely with the former Hull City chief.

“Phil has been great for the youth and having him here has helped us too,” said Duncan.

Fully behind the youth system - Phil Brown

“He’s very open minded towards the academy.

“He comes to watch, he gets involved a lot on a daily basis and it’s been a good link.

“We all want what’s best for the club and we’re focused on bringing more players through for his first team squad.

“He’s shown they will be given a chance if they show promise and work hard.”

DUNCAN KEEN TO KEEP ON IMPROVING

RICKY Duncan insists he will not be resting on his laurels at Roots Hall.

The 51-year-old has helped the Shrimpers become a real force at youth team level.

But he remains keen to push the youth programme forward and help the club secure category two status under the Elite Player Performance Plan guidelines.

“I have been talking to the chairman and I think we have to aim to be the best category three club we can be while looking to push on to get to category two,” said Duncan.

“We’re up for another audit next year but I think we’ll be fine.

“We’ve done more than enough but the next phase is to push all we can to make sure the change is minimal when we do go to category two.

“That’s the plan in my head but for that to happen we have to keep on being successful.”

Moving up to category two would secure a superior games programme for the Shrimpers’ youth team and would arguably help them attract even more youngsters to the club.

To make the switch up, Blues must boast their own indoor training facility and their own under-21 team, which was brought in at the start of last season.

After a shaky start, which saw two managers leave the post in just a matter of months, Southend legend Kevin Maher is now in charge of the youngsters.

Working closely - Ricky Duncan and Kevin Maher

And Duncan is happy with how the squad is now shaping up.

“The under-21s has been one of the best things we’ve done,” said Duncan.

“It gives the boys a clearer path to the first team instead of having to make the step up at the age of 18.

“It would have to be a really special kid to do that so having the under-21s gives them the opportunity to keep them developing.

“Kevin has been great as well.

“He’s an ex player here and he knows the club inside out due to the number of games he had here.

“He’s developing himself as well as the team but we have to keep pushing the under-21s.

“Losing the reserves years ago was a big mistake but having this team benefits us.

“It’s a path into men’s football and gives them an understanding of what it takes to get three points rather than just about their individual development.

“It’s vital for us.”