OXFORD United today revealed that, although they did not apply for their own football youth academy, they hope to graduate to academy status in the years ahead, writes JON MURRAY.

They hope to learn from the guinea pigs, the club stated in an article written in today's matchday programme for the opening home game of the season against Wolves.

Concerns have been voiced that United, who have a fine record of bringing on talented young players, have missed the boat by deciding not to apply for a licence to operate an academy.

All the FA Premiership clubs applied for a licence to operate academies, as did 17 Nationwide League clubs.

United's decision not to go down that route was one of the reasons why former youth development officer Malcolm Elias chose to leave the club.

However, in the article which will be seen as a move to allay local parents' fears, United say they intend to spend the short term improving what they currently do.

They plan better matchday facilities for the Centre of Excellence squads, use of specialist trainers and aerobics coaches, the hire of indoor facilities and even the purchase of new training equipment.

Under the radical shake-up put forward by FA technical director Howard Wilkinson, existing Centres of Excellence are to be enhanced.

From now on, clubs will only be able to operate one centre and must draw from a catchment area of a 60-90 minute drive time. Better facilities and strict coach-to-player ratios are required.

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