Manchester United And Arsenal Pair Sign For City
Last updated : 19 January 2011 By Covsupport News Service
Coventry City have taken two youngsters from Arsenal and Manchester United beating off competition from a number of other clubs.
Being able to capture the players was down to good recruiting by City's Recruitment Officer Mark Fogarty and by the way they were treated when they came to the club.
"We have had a full-time recruitment officer for the last 12 months and what it has enabled us to do is go out to all the top clubs - Arsenal, Man Utd, Tottenham, Liverpool, Everton and Chelsea - and build up a fantastic relationship with them," said Academy Boss Greg Rioch to the CT.
"Then when they are about to release boys they have let us know with a little tip-off and that has enabled us to put in an early phone call to the lads - who we already know about - and steal the march on other clubs.
"Some of the boys will get 20-odd calls from clubs all wanting to speak to them but we managed to get these lads in and show them around.
"They came in and Aidy Boothroyd was brilliant with them and let them train with his squad for the day where they could see how the likes of Conor Thomas and our other young Academy boys have progressed and enjoyed a taste of first team football."
Jermal Wiseman, who came from Arsenal, featured for City U18's against Cardiff on Saturday. He is a midfielder whilst Loius Garner, who will join City full time in the summer, is from Manchester United and plays on the right wing.
"Jemal is a central midfielder who breaks forward and he won a penalty against Cardiff at the weekend by doing that," said Rioch, speaking about the players.
"He reminds me of a young David Rocastle. He's a very skilful and talented lad who we knew all about and when he came and had a look at us he loved everything he saw and signed pretty much straight away, saying that he preferred us to other clubs.
"Louis is an exciting right winger who we were very surprised when United let him go. He reminds me of Aaron Lennon in the way he plays.
"He has got that style about him, he's very powerful and quick and has a really good delivery and we think he was unfortunate to have been released."
"All credit to Mark Fogarty and his team who are helping us develop a really competitive academy."
