8 Yrs Ago! #QPR Superkid Poached?...Raheem Sterling-#LFC

[QPR Report]

8 Years ago...Wondering who he was!

Edit: Two year Flashback

Anyone know anything about him?

People/Alan Nixon November 2009
QPR hail superkid

Exclusive Queens Park Rangers are set to make wonder boy Raheem Sterling the youngest first-teamer in British football history to ward off Premier League big boys including Manchester United.

Rangers boss Jim Magilton (pictured) is so impressed by the 14-year-old striker - who is rated as highly as the young Wayne Rooney - he allowed him to train with the first team last week.

And the plan is to give him his debut soon after his 15th birthday next month to break the record of Barnsley's Reuben Noble-Lazarus who made his debut at 15 years and 45 days last season.

Sterling, a lightning-quick forward, already plays for Rangers Under-18s but QPR are scared that a major offer will be tabled. Sterling and his agent were VIP guests at the Liverpool's clash with United last Sunday as rumours abound of a £1million offer from one of the elite clubs.

Rangers will offer Sterling a fast track into their senior side, hoping it will convince him to stay. But it looks a losing battle as Sterling missed a meeting where he was due to sign a YTS contract and headed for the game at Anfield.

www.people.co.uk/sport/football/tm_headline=qpr-hail-superkid&method=full&objectid=21788984&siteid=93463-name_page.html

[obk]

If treated fairly by us and given a fast track to league football I think the lad would do well to stay at QPR. But it must be hard to fend off giant clubs like Liverpool etc. with their youth academies and loads of people working with the youth teams and so on.

In my opinion this is where our owners, Briatore but also the Mittals, should show some muscle to match any contract given by bigger clubs and also state their ambitions, at least to the lad and his family. We have the owners to compete with the giant clubs and a key issue would be to keep our own talents!

[cpr]

I just read this story in the People, got to say, I've never heard of him.

Looks like we'll lose him if the manc story is true but isn't there a rule about distance that will stop them nicking him?

Whatever way it pans out, it's good to hear of a bit of class at the club. Need to find out more about him. 14 years old and already playing in the u18's. In the Surrey FA you can only be a maximum of two years younger in each age group. Not sure about youth level though.

[QPR Report]

Youth team reports here
www.qpr.co.uk/page/YouthReportsIndex/0,,10373,00.html

This Match report from a couple weeks ago - Making his U-18 debut

QPR Official Site - October 13, 2009
UNDER-18'S STING BEES

QPR Under-18's maintained their challenge at the top of the Football League Youth Alliance South East Conference by recording a 3-1 victory over local rivals Brentford at Harlington.

Steve Gallen's team now sit fourth in the league with a game in hand over the three teams above them - and a win from their outstanding match will see them top the table on goal difference from last season's league Champions and current leaders, Southend United.

Gallen's starting XI included two schoolboys; 15 year-old Republic of Ireland Youth International Frankie Sutherland started in midfield and there was a first start at Under-18 level for fellow Under-16 youngster Bruno Andrade up front.

As has become the norm this season, Rangers started very brightly, although some uncharacteristic defending on seven minutes almost handed Brentford an early goal, but Niki-Lee Bulmer stood up well to the effort and saved from a tight angle.

The visitors were left to rue the early miss when Elliott Cox gave Rangers the lead ten minutes later.

Andrew Perring flighted a long diagonal ball into the Bees penalty box and the presence of Cox (pictured) caused panic, with the Rangers front-man colliding in a three way heap with a defender and the 'keeper. Undeterred, Cox was first to his feet and tapped home the loose ball with the two Bees players still grounded.

It remained 1-0 to the home side until the break, but it wasn't long before Rangers doubled their advantage.

Following a fine move involving Danny Fernandez, Sutherland and new Republic of Ireland recruit Michael Harriman, the ball was crossed from the right only to be cleared to the edge of the box, where Cox smashed an unstoppable volley back into the roof of the Bees net.

To their credit, Brentford dug deep and gained an avenue back into the game with a well worked goal.

Fearing that a comeback was on the cards, Gallen decided to introduce 15 year-old Raheem Sterling from the bench for his Under-18 debut. The sprightly winger made an immediate impact, scoring a fine individual goal on 72 minutes, which finally ended the visitors' challenge
www.qpr.co.uk/page/YouthReports/0,,10373~1824639,00.html

[ingham]

Money has changed the old logic. There was no sense in bigger Clubs developing batteries of youngsters when they knew only one or none would ever make it. Let them ripen at the smaller Clubs, then pick them when their talent was proven.

The concern was never that the smaller Clubs would benefit unduly. Even then, the lure of money, and the prospect of success, however vague, was sufficient to tempt all but a quirky handful - Le Tissier! - to abandon the nest.

But now the bigger Clubs can afford to plunder all the young talent. As long as they go on losing their own money at this rate, anyway. And their concern is that another top four Club - not an Everton, whence a Rooney can easily be abstracted - but an Arsenal or Liverpool where one talismanic player might make the difference between 15 years in the top 4 and 15 years in the top 1.

Rather surprised that he missed signing a YTS contract to go to Anfield, but football is full of mysteries of that kind.

If he puts his trust in a wise old head, he might be swayed. But the big Clubs have ways of swaying the wise old heads that sway the inexperienced young ones.

Don't we do the same thing if we unearth a 'star of the future' at a non-league Club? Or don't we unearth them?

[Lonegunmen]

Sounds like Dean Parrett, gone to spurs and heard of only occassionally.

If this lad goes to United, he'll get trained up well to be passed onto clubs like Burnley just like Chris Eagles. he and his parents need a reality check.

Beckham was an exception but then Sir Alex took him directly under his wing.

[cpr]

Beckham was a united fan, as was his dad, so was happy to go there.

He also went on loan to Preston in his younger days.

[QPR Report]

For the big clubs, with the amount they're spending on transfer fees and wages, it's really not much of a financial gamble for them. If it works, great. If not, a relative drop in the bucket.

For the player: It's a trade off: Far better coaching and facilities - and the glamour of being associated with a big team. And early chances of being selected by England youth. And presumably, the player or his family do well out of the move. And for a kid, who might have his career ruined before it started from injury, it's a gamble.

Versus lot more competition at the club from other youth players. Opportunities restricted for advancement, and much much harder to get into the first team. And if stay at old club, much better chance of advancing. And not life disrupted from moving

I Imagine also the importance our club puts in youth development/advancement might also be a factor in the player and parents' consideration. Is youth development an important part of QPR? Do we spend on the facilities and coaching?


I guess may be different with Parrett: It was reportedly the club were eager to sell him/rather than a case of the the player being enticed away while the club tried to keep him

[obk]

The question about the priority of youth development is an important one, you might imagine there are some great coaches at the bigger clubs.

But, I believe our dear neighbours Chelsea is an interesting example. They have spent loads and loads on youth development, and they do as all the other top clubs and buy every young boy who can kick a ball somewhat nicely. But...how many of the players from their academy has come through to their first 11?

Arsenal is another club with a great youth academy, they seem to be better at giving their youngsters a chance, but most of them still end up at the QPR:s of the world.

One swedish example is Bojan Djordic (not a very swedish name:), went to Manchester Uniteds youth academy, then went on loan after loan to championship clubs, played in the scottish league and eventually ended up in AIK, probably the biggest swedish club. Today he is playing for the swedish premier gold (last match of the season, the 2 clubs at the top meet each other in a match that will decide the championship, hasn't happened since the 60ies).

Anyway, the point is, he is a good footballer but my belief is he and a lot of other players would benefit more from playing league football earlier and then go to bigger clubs, let them develop their talent in a less stressful environment than the biggest clubs.

Still, I know it is all about money (and maybe fame, it is probably way cooler to say that you play for United than QPR). And still yet, it is NOW we have the owners who could, if they liked to, turn this around to our benefit!

[gavqpr77]

The Arse did it last season with Aaron Ramsey and Chels**t did it with Scott Sinclair from Bristol Rovers, so unless the FA or Uefa step in this is going to happen all the time!! Not fair, but lower league clubs get the pickings of failed youngsters at bigger clubs....

[grumpyolde]

Put yourself in the boy's shoes.

If you had enough talent why would you possibly want to stay at QPR.

1. QPR don't even have any fixtures for young players after U18's.

2. The top clubs mentioned have a full programme of games for under 21's playing against each of the other top teams.

3. The clubs metioned all have world class facilities.

4. Their coaches are also the best there are.

5. The other young players you would be training with are the cream of their generation.

6. If you have come through a Man U or other top four academy you have a better chance of getting fixed up at another club if you don't make the grade ot the very highest level.

7. QPR haven't brought through to the first team anyone of note since Kevin Gallen.

8. The whole set up at the club shows no regard for bringing young players on.

If the kid has any sense he will be on his bike as fast as he can. As for living near to the club you play for - Man U have players whose familes have moved there from as far away as Italy.

I've been going on for some time about the paucity of concern for the young players at QPR.
Now we have found a possible gem don't be surprised if it's too late to keep the lad, but please, please, do not blame him if he does go - you only reap what you sow.

[obk]

Very good points, that's why I'm saying:

1. Promise him and give him the chance in the first 11 to give him a chance to improve. This sort of competitive football is the best to develop.

2. With our current owners we have the financial backing to actually change the way we treat our youth players. Now is the time to show this, if we can't keep the first real talent since Parrett then we show true lack of ambition.

3. But yes all your points are valid and we can't blame anyone who takes the chance to play for one of the big three (we can blame them if they choose to go to the fourth club though).

[grumpyolde]

obk. I fully understand your desire to keep the young man at QPR. but playing him in the first team is not a sensible option. The lad is only 14 years of age and not physically mature enough to compete at that level. The huge problem is there is a huge gap in the conveyor belt of development from youth to first team and nobody has done anything about it for years and years. Only now when it appears the rabbit might get away are there any screams of anguish. What about all the talent we have had that has just been neglected. The club has been failing its youth players for a long time.

[obk]

Yes, it's a tad early, I admit that. Still you're correct, we have an abysmal record when it comes to bringing players through to the first team.

Which I find very strange considering all the money problems we've had you would think that the one thing you do try to get right would be youth development.

[QPR Report]

And called up. Interesting timing

QPR Official Site - RAHIM CALLED UP
Sunday 01 Nov 2009

QPR starlet Rahim Sterling has been named in England's Under-16 squad for this week's international fixture with Northern Ireland.

Despite being just 14, Sterling has already featured - and scored - for QPR's Under-18s this season, and is widely tipped to achieve great success within the game.

Youth Development Manager Steve Gallen has worked hard to keep the forward out of the spotlight, despite growing interest in his continued development.

People within the Club have been aware of Sterling's capabilities for a considerable amount of time and, following this call-up for Thursday's international, Gallen believes now is the right time for QPR's fans to be told of the youngster's incredible potential.

"I'm proud for him and his family," Gallen told www.qpr.co.uk. "He's a great lad, very popular at the Club and has bundles of potential.

"If he keeps his feet on the ground and continues to work hard in training, he's got a very bright future ahead of him."
- www.qpr.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10373~1843831,00.html

[QPR Report]

Must be late call. Not in the original u-16 squad

www.thefa.com/England/MensUnder16s/NewsAndFeatures/2009/Squad_NI.aspx


FA
Kenny Swain names U16 squad for Victory Shield match against Northern Ireland

England U16 v Northern Ireland
Sky Sports Victory Shield 7.40pm, Thursday 5 November 2009
Deva Stadium, Chester City FC
Tickets are priced £3 for adults and £1 for concessions
Charter Standard booking form
Group booking form
Click here for the full Victory Shield schedule

Kenny Swain has named his U16 squad for the upcoming Victory Shield encounter, against Northern Ireland on Thursday 5 November.

Ten players retain their place in the squad following the 1-0 defeat of Wales at the end of October, while Elikem Amenku, who had to withdraw from that squad, has been called up once more. Stephen Arthurworrey, Shay Facey, Bradley Jordan, Nick Powell, Blair Turgott, George Willis and Jack Barmby, son of Nick, have all been included in an England squad for the first time.

A late Zak Ansah header allowed Swain’s side to collect three points against Wales, while Northern Ireland were beaten 2-1 by Scotland in their Shield opener.

Squad in full:
Name Club

Elikem Amenku




West Bromwich Albion





Zak Ansah




Arsenal





Stephen Arthurworrey




Fulham





Jack Barmby




Manchester United





Jordan Cousins




Charlton Athletic





Shay Facey




Manchester City





Matthias Fanimo




West Ham United





Luke Hendrie




Manchester United





Adam Jackson




Middlesbrough





Bradley Jordan




Charlton Athletic





Sam Magri




Portsmouth





Callum McFadzean




Sheffield United





Adil Nabi




West Bromwich Albion





Nick Powell




Crewe Alexandra





Nathan Redmond




Birmingham City





Blair Turgott




West Ham United





Bradley Watkins




Aston Villa



George Willis

Sheffield United

[grumpyolde]

dangerous Posted: Sun Nov 01, 2009 8:35 pm

Regarding picking Sterling for the first team -
Joined: Thu Feb 08, 2007 6:02 pm
Posts: 668
Location: london
No.... no matter how good he cant be, its not fair on the lad. like steve i hope he stays, he will learn more from Steve Gallen than anyone i can think off at such a young age...

on the down side, im afraid offering him first team football is a sign they have probably already lost him... using first team promises is saying its better than playing for the big boys youth teams, but sadly at his age its not.

I hope he listens to good advice, and especially steve, who in my opinion is one of the best youth coaches around.

If he leaves respect the decision, and rather than criticise him, take the clubs owners to task, our youth set up must be their priority if we are ever to succeed in producing raheems every year and fielding a premier league side full of home grown talent.

Recent success stories prove we have the coaching staff, now they need financial backing, bringing academy football and facilities. this board talked about academy football when they came, but what have they done about it???

To keep good young players you have to show them the club is serious about its football, and not just fat men eating in luxury every other week.

From a post on indyrs
Thought you might like to read the opinion of someone who is the father of a former youth team player who had to leave QPR to further his career.

[obk]

Grumpy said,
"To keep good young players you have to show them the club is serious about its football, and not just fat men eating in luxury every other week."

Well, that's really what it comes down to. And for the first time in a long long time we actually do have the owners who could show this commitment if they wanted to.

[eusebio13]

24 hours ago I'd never heard of him now I worried the future of the club is walking out on us....in other news Paladini cures Cancer

[Lonegunmen]

Steve Gallen has been great over the years at developing youth, they just have not kicked on when given their chance.

Leon Jeanne is a classic example. So much talent and he screwed it up. Then there was that young one that went to leicester, never to be heard of again.

Some good arguments for and against above. It will be interesting to see what happens.

[grumpyolde]

Lonegunmen,

If I could correct you on the point you make about " not kicking on when given the chance ."
What I am saying is they have not been given the chance, - just look at what happens after they finish with the under 18's and move on from the care of Steve Gallen. There is nowhere for them to continue playing and making progress. The result is they languish about getting only a very occasional game in the reserves and then end up being loaned out to a much lower level of football club usually non league and slowly fade away. Just the fact that the club doesn't have any fixture list for the under 21's is in my opinion a disgrace and shows a complete disregard for the young pro's in its care. No wonder the success rate is almost zero.

All the good clubs have a programme that is dedicated to the advancement of their young pro's, so you can hardly blame someone with talent going where the grass really is greener.

The QPR youth teams of recent years have won trophies in their league but nothing has come through. This can only be an indictment on the clubs attitude towards the new pro's. It seems they only want "ready mades".

[QPR Report]

From The Mirror/ALan Nixon (Same author as for The People piece)

Manchester United and Liverpool to watch QPR whizzkid, 14, this week

Wonder kid Raheem Sterling has been given his first England call-up - and will be watched by TWELVE Premier League clubs this week.

The QPR prospect, still just 14, has been picked for the under-16 international side against Northern Ireland in the Victory Shield.

Skillful and quick winger Sterling has been kept under wraps by Rangers but a gang of scouts - headed by Manchester United and Liverpool - saw him dazzle again for their under-18 side at the weekend.

Rangers are considering giving Sterling a first-team game after his 15th birthday next month as they try to keep him sweet.

However a posse of big outfits have booked tickets for the clash at Chester on Thursday after he was pushed into the England side as its youngest call-up.

QPR youth chief Steve Gallen said: "He is a great lad, very popular with his team-mates and with bundles of potential.

"If he keeps his feet on the ground and continues to work hard he has got a very bright future ahead of him."

www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Manchester-United-and-Liverpool-to-watch-QPR-whizzkid-14-this-week-article209449.html

[QPR Report]

Of course when Liam O'Brien left, he chose Portsmouth rather than the Premiership elite clubs: A possible compromise re Premiership coaching/competition and a path upwords.

[cpr]

A friend of mine has recently removed his lad from said setup and he is now elsewhere, shouldn't mention where.

I don't think I can say why on here though, suffice to say, it would not make you impressed with our lot.

Sady.

Good luck to Sterling, let him get the best of the best and then in four years time we can buy him for 200k. Much cheaper than having a decent youth setup anyway.

As Grumpy says, what the hell do they do for football at 18 onwards? Also playing the likes of Southend is hardly a great incentive to stay, even at 14.

We had the promises of foundations, investment and Academy status but nothing has changed and it's still a CoE that will produce little for the first team, two years, or more, down the road.

[QPR Report]

That's a shame. Maybe we can't compete with the superclubs. But obviously anything below the Premiership, should be able to challenge/to keep.
Well wouldn't want (actually I would want!) you to break confidences, etc. But if anything is published here or at the player's new club, feel free to post.

Meanwhile a reminder of what youth development used to mean. (And we missed out on Tony Currie! - And think of the Venables Promotion team, also filled with home-growns)

[QPR Report]

And the England Announcement

Football Association

Three replacements for U16s
Monday, 02 November, 2009

Jordan Pickford, Robbie Cotton and Raheem Sterling all join squad

England U16 v Northern Ireland
Sky Sports Victory Shield
7.40pm, Thursday 5 November 2009
Deva Stadium, Chester City FC
Tickets are priced £3 for adults and £1 for concessions

Jordan Pickford, Robbie Cotton and Raheem Sterling have all been called into England U16 squad for the match against Northern Ireland on Thursday 5 November, with the latter receiving his maiden U16 call-up.

The trio replace Bradley Watkins, Luke Hendrie and Jordan Cousins respectively as Kenny Swain's side seek their second Victory Shield win of the season, after their 1-0 triumph over Wales last month. On that occassion, a late header from Zak Ansah was enough to give the Young Lions the three points. Northern Ireland lost their opening Victory Shield fixture 2-1 to Scotland.

Pickford played in the win over Wales, pulling off a number of confident saves en route to keeping a clean sheet. Cotton also played the full 80 minutes at Yeovil, impressing from midfield and adapting well to a change in formation.

www.thefa.com/England/MensUnder16s/NewsAndFeatures/2009/replacements.aspx

[eusebio13]

Nov 3, 2009 9:42:45 GMT QPR Report said:

That's a shame. Maybe we can't compete with the superclubs. But obviously anything below the Premiership, should be able to challenge/to keep.
Well wouldn't want (actually I would want!) you to break confidences, etc. But if anything is published here or at the player's new club, feel free to post.

Meanwhile a reminder of what youth development used to mean. (And we missed out on Tony Currie! - And think of the Venables Promotion team, also filled with home-growns)

Billy Bunter in goal

[Zamoraaaah]

Plug from the Bash St. kids 2nd FR

[QPR Report]

Peter Springett, Ron Hunt, Tony Hazell, Frank Sibley, Roger Morgan, Mick Leach, Ian Morgan - Pretty amazing!

[eusebio13]

Nov 3, 2009 16:05:03 GMT QPR Report said:

Peter Springett, Ron Hunt, Tony Hazell, Frank Sibley, Roger Morgan, Mick Leach, Ian Morgan - Pretty amazing!

So he eventually found the salad bar then