Under threat Youth setup is a must - Preist

[Rufc89]

The Millers youth setup is under threat due to the clubs slide into administration, however outgoing head of youth Mick Preist insists that a good youth setup is essential.

With the club's current cash crisis, one of the things that is at risk is the youth setup at Millmoor which the club part funds with the assistance from both the Football League and FA.

Talks are being held today with the FL & FA on wether or not they can continue to fund the clubs youth setup unless the club can provide assurances that it can keep its financial input into it.

Head of youth Mick Priest told todays Advertiser; "If the Football League pulls the plug, it leaves the administrator with a massive decision because he is not working to lose money for the club. Any new buyers would have to be willing to fund the youth policy."

"It is paramount that Rotherham United retains its Centre of Excellence. It's been here a long time and it would be a damned sight easier to dismantle than build up again, as clubs like Notts County have found. If it goes, we would lose 120 good footballers and the majority would find other clubs." he added.

Preist also explained that the club has been funding the system while waiting for delayed payments from the FA & FL; "We were due four separate payments from the Football League and FA but due to the time it has taken for them to set up a trust to administer them we didn't receive our June payment until the end of September and the September payment until the beginning of March. To their credit, the club's owners continued putting money in to keep us going and I think that should say something to the Football League."

"We are still waiting for two payments—one which was due at the start of the year and the other at the end of the season." he said

He however maintanted positive towards the youth systems future; "To be honest, I wasn't very optimistic about our chances of keeping the Centre of Excellence a week ago but the administrator came in and told us carry on as normal and I feel more positive because of that. Having said that, today's is a very important meeting."

Preist handed in his notice last week, but told the 'Tiser that it was'nt anything to do with the clubs financial worries.

"I put my notice in before the administration happened, I want to leave because my wife is pregnant and I'm spending 18 hours a week commuting from my home in Rochdale. I want to be able to see my child grow up. It's purely a family matter."

"I timed my notice for May 2nd so it would leave the club plenty time to find a replacement. I have no other job lined up. I've loved my time at Rotherham. The Centre of Excellence is so important. It was here a long time before me and I hope it's still here a long time after I've gone." he added.

Tipical FA, dont care about smaller clubs, bet they got the rich clubs money on time