Great. So now we are talking about the current model not working. I have no problem with people disagreeing with my views or that of a clubs I just think it needs to be kept in discussion. One point though is the argument that we poach players, that may happen I ain't involve in the club to be of knowledge of this however other club are happy for Lee Padmore to take talent from Cash/tech, ferrymead, Selwyn and nomads and no one complains(including me). The players/parents make that decision on what they want, and that's what's happening at united, no gun to your head to make you transfer.
Mainland is broken throughout, one job closure will not fix ongoing loses. Since Mike Coggan left the books have gone backwards again. There is more to it than the development job. What club is going to challenge this? I doubt many will as it's not in there beat interests.
NZ football is a cot case, unable to organise games for our senior men's side regularly is just not acceptable but nothing changes. Players at youth level get little exposure to selectors unless you are based in Auckland(there are a few exceptions) but we accept it.
So while you may not agree with the United model and I did say it wasn't perfect I CHALLENGE you all to look at fixing what we have. Nzfootball and mainland don't own the game they facilitate it for the players and from reading here we don't think they do it well.
And if you don't want to support united, fine watch the super rugby final instead and do nothing.
But also look at clubs like CTFC, Ferrymead and coastal and ask yourself where there players were developed. I don't believe the will be many who came through there development (I may be wrong but a quick scan says I'm not)
And if we don't keep talking about what's wrong with the game here it won't be fixed,
Oh and I'm not united through and through. My club heart lies else where.