Photos (Top to Bottom): Ken Morton beside the statue of George Best, Denis Law and Bobby Charlton which stands outside Old Trafford. Best, Law and Charlron have all been to Tasmania, the former two brought here by Morton; Ken Morton with Wolverhampton Wanderers manager Mick McCarthy; Mick Halsall and Ken Morton at Wolves; Wolves players Ward, Elokobi and McCarey [Photos courtesy of Victoria Woods]
Ken Morton returned last week after taking a team of young Tasmanians for train at Manchester United’s facilities at The Cliff and Carrington.
The visit included taking in a game at Old Trafford between United and West Bromwich Albion.
Morton also forged links with other clubs including Newcastle United and Wolverhampton Wanderers.
“I thought it was a marvellous footballing experience,” said Morton.
“The players went away to learn football and to develop their skills as young men, which they did just terrifically.
“The training which we did with Manchester United was not a lot different to what we do, only better quality.
“It was better quality because of the facilities. When you are playing on what is like carpet, on grounds that are manicured to perfection, it makes their skills become better, quicker.
“When you think about top football, it’s all about technique. If you haven’t got technique, you can’t become a football player. Your technique will let you down.
“The technical work that the players did was first class.
“To see our boys play under another coach and perform so well, with their technique better than the English players, was certainly a credit to the players and to the Manchester United coaching staff.
“Our first game was a 3-0 win against Stockport Youth and the second game was 4-2 against Irlam, and it was a real physical battle.
“The last game, we won 4-1 against Denton and we really were in super form against them.
“In the Irlam game, they went back to front really quickly, pressurised high and got about us in midfield, but our lads still tried to get the ball down and pass it around them and played some good football to win the game.”
37 comments:
I'm surprised how Ken Morton and Vikings Futsal seem to create opportunities for young Tasmanian players that FFT can't.
Who can pontificate on this topic?
Decentric
FFT provide national identification opportunites for boys and girls aged 13, 14 and 15 at national championships as well as national TIS boys and girls championships. I seem to recall a Tassie team play the Mariners which resulted in a training opportunty for one of our young talented players.
Am sure FFT could also conduct overseas trip like this if they wanted to but trips cost, I would think each child would have payed at least 5k for a trip like this.
This is South Hobart (or at least Ken Morton) establishing links with clubs overseas. I'm not really sure how projects of this kind are the duty of FFT?
It is the duty of clubs, to establish links with other clubs. Any club or person is free to do this if they are able. FFT exist to grow and administer the competition in Tasmania as far as I'm aware.
They send state teams to Nationals. They organise the competitions (OK yes, it hasn't always been perfect but it's been done). They have negotiated to get A-League games down here, as well as an A-League v State Team as we saw this year. This is all positive stuff for our game down here.
Not entirely sure how we can expect them to need to worry about sending kids to the UK, and be dismissive of them if they don't? I'm not sure that it's a matter that FFT 'can't', I think it's more that FFT are focussing more on the local/national side of things. If anything it's more up to FFA who deal with the National/International side. But ultimately, it's up to clubs to forge links with other clubs.
Decentis, maybe you can. You sound pompous enough.Pontificate all you wish. Maybe you dont have the vocabulary.
Sorry! I just remembered it was Morton Soccer School, not South Hobart but my point still stands.
it is simple, they think out of the square and do something!
Sounds like you can Decentric, using words like pontificate
Rather than attack the language I use, answer the question. There seem to be a few posters on this blog from that insular island to the north, where few elite sportspeople in Australian football and cricket can speak English properly.
A Korean underage side was keen to organise a match against some Tasmanian opposition. The letter/email went to FFT enquiring about suitable Tasmanian opponents. Whoever answered it deleted it. It wasn't until Rale Rasic contacted a local source that there was any idea that the Korean football organisation was bona fide.
Did FFT actually bring the Mariners to Hobart? If they did there was a paucity of advertising. The FFT website counts as minimal advertising for the event.
The cost of sending prospective players to national competitions by FFT precludes a significant number of players from socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds. Pertinently, it can also be advanced that this is applicable to Ken Morton's academy and to Vikings futsal.
However, if Ken M or Corey S are reading this they can probably elucidate why they seem to be able to get a number of elite coaches/ players down here more frequently than the locally based branch of the national football organisation. FFT boasts a number of full time paid employees.
FFT should actually disseminate information that 99.5 % of players will never play football beyond the level of the local premier league.
Is focusing on a few underage state teams prudent when players have to pay $3 500 out of their own pocket to attend national championships useful? I'm not sure underage cricketers, egg ballers or hockey players pay anything to represent the state.
I'm concerned too many young players think that by playing in underage state or institute teams that they will have a career in football. Who have we produced in this last decade who has played for the Socceroos/A League or Matildas/W League? Is the investment in a few players playing for state teams/institutes worth it?
Sometimes their coaches consider it is important to make a massive commitment when there is almost no chance of playing beyond our state premier leagues. Realistically, 100% of them so far have never played club football beyond the local premier league or VSL.
Given Rob Baan and Han Berger have been the national Technical Directors they have spent minimal time on the island. Last time I checked Tasmania was part of the Football Federation of Australia. Has anyone from FFT actually invited them down and persisted if they've procrastinated?
Having made the comments I have, it seems a good thing that John Boulaas and Michael McKinna now work for FFT.
Decentric
OK, well, to me it seems as if there is a whole lot of negativity toward FFT from the footballing community judging from posts from many people in the course of this season.
Some people have raised some really valid points, including you Decentric (although I must confess we aren't completely in agreeance), but it's all well and good to come on and say it on a blog, but how about taking some of your own advice and actually do something about it.
If the current personnel at FFT are incompetant, tell them yourself in a letter! Try to get more involved yourself. At the very least clarify where you feel FFT lets itself down the most instead of tarnishing everyone there with the same brush (this goes out to all critics, not just you Decentric and I'm not forgetting your positivity at the end either). Some of the people there do some great work from what I can see.
Personally, I think advertising is where they hurt themselves the most. There isn't any. Whoever is in charge of that (if there is such a person) needs to up their game, if we as a state are going to up ours. More people through the gates.
Please note: I'm not advocating revolution here - I'm simply saying if you aren't going to at least try to fix the problem yourself, complaining about it won't help much either.
Also to the people who are getting on Decentric about the choice of language - if using advanced English means delaying stupid people from responding for a while why they a) go find a dictionary and b) work out where 'P' is in the alphabet and god forbid c) actually locate the word and grasp a reasonable understanding of the word...that can only be a good thing for this blog!
Anon 31 Oct 11.05 pm ,you are spot on with your comments particularly in relation to FFT. However your final paragraph smacks of arrogance .
You have no right to refer to any one on this blog as stupid or anything else that is insulting for that matter .
If you wish to do so , fine , but then have the guts to sign your real name at the bottom of your post .
My son went to The Liverpool Academy as a guest in 2006 and had a wonderful three days. But we didn't make a big deal about it or get a story in The Mercury.The aim was to show him how many talented players there were and that it is about enjoying the game at what ever level you play.
Get over the delusions and create a balanced Tasmanian Football League.Is it any wonder the best young soccer player in Tasmania is about to be drafted into the AFL.
Anon 9.40am
Perhaps you are right. It was too far and a little harsh. I withdraw that final paragraph.
RE: the name thing - No. Not until everyone else is forced to. Most people on the internet don't post under their real name anyway. It's an accepted convention and it has nothing to do with guts. It's actually a sensible measure to ensure that you aren't able to be targeted in 'the real world'. A brave man can still be a foolish one, just as he can be conservatice. Reasonable debate on blogs, forums etc is entirely possible without anyone knowing who is who. (In fact, say names were made compulsory, who would speak? Say something wrong and there could be repercussions).
Anon 10.23 AM. Good on him and the fact that you can afford to just take your son to Liverpool for 3 days.No-one is makiong a big dealout of it. I believe it may be called promoting the game in Tasmania. How many readers, possibly, have read the story and thought, maybe their little Johnny is a good player and should aim to do the same if the opportunity arises again ? How do we find out more ?
Have you thought about that ?
My son went to The Liverpool Academy as a guest in 2006 and had a wonderful three days. But we didn't make a big deal about it or get a story in The Mercury.The aim was to show him how many talented players there were and that it is about enjoying the game at what ever level you play.
Get over the delusions and create a balanced Tasmanian Football League.Is it any wonder the best young soccer player in Tasmania is about to be drafted into the AFL.
November 1, 2010 10:23 AM
Will Abott is getting drafted into the AFL?
He has red hair but is not Will Abbott.Here's a clue he has been in tThe Mercury winning premierships with his football club and his surname matches the colour of grass.
Josh Green was a pretty decent football (soccer) player but certainly wouldn't justify that tag but then again neither does Will Abbott.
pontificate mmm is that something ricky ponting does when deciding who bats next hahaha
Josh green is as good a "soccer" player as I have seen and I've seen most over the past 4 or 5 years. The other guy is in the spotlight becasue his tis days are coming to an end and they need somewhere for him to go. i noticed ccm had a 17 yo debutant this week - from Aus U19s and AIS. that's what we're up against.
Josh green is as good a "soccer" player as I have seen and I've seen most over the past 4 or 5 years. The other guy is in the spotlight becasue his tis days are coming to an end and they need somewhere for him to go. i noticed ccm had a 17 yo debutant this week - from Aus U19s and AIS. that's what we're up against.
November 1, 2010 6:53 PM
you can see all you like, but you're prob not best placed to make such a call. will abott is better than what most yth setups have at aleague level. he will struggle to get a contract due to the fac tthat he is from Tasmania, and yth setups in the A-league do not take placements from outside their immediate region.
Whilst on the topic of good FFT employees, John Burnett was a useful acquisition for the local football milieu. A shame he didn't stay on. He organised an excellent Festival Cup. He also had good interpersonal skills with constituents. John is also an experienced and credentialled coach.
Kimberly Hale was also a pleasant and helpful receptionist. A shame she left too.
Decentric
Anon 2.53pm, October 31st.
I can't pontificate when I don't know why some can create opportunities that FFT can't. It seems one person has replied with a plausible response. That is, it is not in FFT's charter to foster external links with other external football organisations/clubs/coaches/players.
Is it the role of the Tasmanian Hockey Centre to do this then?
I admit I'm being flippant or facetious.
Corey S can you explain why Vikings seem to be able to bring high profile football/futsal stakeholders to the state then?
Decentric
Anon November 2, 2010 1:29 PM
We all see different things. Tell me how can YOU tell above others?
ken morton , i suppose he is doing some good in his twilight coach he is one of the best coaches i've been with and that includes atti abonyi
Anon 31 Oct 5.24 pm .You are correct. It is up to the Tas Hockey Centre to foster contacts/relationships with other soccer groups. What makes you think it is FFT's role. It never has been.That may necessitate some effort and thinking outside the square. FFT are used to doing to same thing year in and year out without change.That is one reasonthe game will not develop here to any acceptable standard. There are and have been for too long now , personal agendas,dislikes,jealousies etc that fester within the sport that is rotting from within.This will not allow development and promotion,harmonious dealings between stakeholders etc, that is required for the sport to become a serious sport inthi state.It is very sad when someone quotes some stats regarding the reduced numbers of people reading the Mercury for soccer information.There are more that read this blog than the local newspaper for information.Just goes to show how good Walter has been and still is, in reporting on and promoting the game locally.
Decentric,
Vikings Futsal is a worldwide organisation now and is one of the largest futsal providers in the world. The reason we are able to bring people down is through this network of contacts throughout the world. I could talk for hours about it but I think the above covers it in a round about way.
IMO Will abbott is too slow to succeed as a professional footballer whereas Green had pace to burn but lacked a bit technically and most importantly wasnt particularly soccer savvy (don't underestimate the value of what goes on between the ears). AFL is a better choice for Josh - hope he gets drafted.
IMO it is harder to get in A League than AFL. It will take a far better player than we have currently to make it from Tassie. None of the current 16 and 17 year olds will make it. When we see a player making National squads as a 15 or 16 yo and/or AIS then we can get excited.
Anon 10.26 pm. Why is it harder to get into an A League team than AFL ? A League clubs are not interested in Tasmania yet.AFL cluba have always had scouts visiting the state looking for players with potential. I doubt that too many A League clubs have scouts coming to Tasmania to check out the talent. They dont even know we exist, as a soccer state.
Also I cant understand why there are many players who go overseas for trials with clubs in Asia, England etc , yet they cant find an opportunity in their own country to arrange trials with clubs in their own domestic league.
Is this because they think they are better than they are ? Parents can afford it ? I doubt that any of them are identified and selected to go and try abroad. I find this scenario bemusing.
Also I cant understand why there are many players who go overseas for trials with clubs in Asia, England etc , yet they cant find an opportunity in their own country to arrange trials with clubs in their own domestic league.
Is this because they think they are better than they are ? Parents can afford it ? I doubt that any of them are identified and selected to go and try abroad. I find this scenario bemusing.
November 4, 2010 7:42 AM
who exactly would you be referring to?
Anon 12.50 PM.
I am not referring to anyone in particular .I will not single out anyone on a public forum as other do ,but there have been numerous Tasmanians from both the north and south , who have ventured overseas for trials yet have not done so in their own country. I am not suggesting that there is anything wrong with this. I wish I did it when I was playing . What I am suggesting is that if these players were good enough to try overseas , why would they not get an opportunity in their own country ? ( I am not suggesting they arent good enough either) If they were of that standard ,logically clubs from the A League would have spotted them before they venture abroad?
I am not referring to anyone in particular .I will not single out anyone on a public forum as other do ,but there have been numerous Tasmanians from both the north and south , who have ventured overseas for trials yet have not done so in their own country. I am not suggesting that there is anything wrong with this. I wish I did it when I was playing . What I am suggesting is that if these players were good enough to try overseas , why would they not get an opportunity in their own country ? ( I am not suggesting they arent good enough either) If they were of that standard ,logically clubs from the A League would have spotted them before they venture abroad?
November 4, 2010 2:12 PM
It's well documented that A-League clubs won't sign youth players from outside their immediate region. This rules out opportunities for young tasmanians within the A-League. Further to this, even if they do sign a tassie based player, the player is on a 5K contract, so you have to work on top of moving interstate.
The base A-League contract is 45k, and although they state the average wage is around 85k, it's more a case of 2-3 players making 200+k with the rest on 45-60.
This on top of already limited opportunities within the league, why wouldn't you head overseas and try your luck?
Anon 3.00PM . As I stated previously ,the A League and FFA are not interested in Tasmania.A League clubs have hundreds of kids as you state ,in their own regions to call on. Similarly overseas, there would be thousands in comparison.
Tasmanians have no hope of progressing to the A League unless they are something extremely special.
If Will Abbott cant be signed up immediately, and according to many he is the best this state has produced for many years ,then there is little hope. This suggests that there are many more like him and better , that will be considered before Tasmanians will be.
November 4, 2010 7:42 AM
The reason it is harder to get into A League is because in AFL there are 18 team with 40 players ea on their list with virtually no overseas players - leaving opportunity for about 700 players.
In the A League we have 11 teams with (I don't know) 30 players max of which I estimate 50 would be imports. That would leave less than 300 players from Aus.
I reckon its as simple as that.
will abbott is not that good and was at fault for two of the goals against mariners despite everyone raving he is not the best tasmanian player
If Will Abbott cant be signed up immediately, and according to many he is the best this state has produced for many years ,then there is little hope. This suggests that there are many more like him and better , that will be considered before Tasmanians will be.
November 4, 2010 5:05 PM
You need to read what others write. It's not that there are many others as good or better than him over there, it is policy that clubs do not take players from outside their own region even if they are better than what they have.
To get signed from Tasmania you literally have to be signed to a full professional contract, not a youth contract.
fft never help anyone go anywhere its only because of ken morton that any of these kids get a shot at something they can only dream of soccer tasmania is a joke... they couldn't run a bath....
Hi Anonymous, Its kimberley Hale here. Just saw your post and am wanting to say thank you! It was a shame I left but im glad i was helpful! Thanks :)
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