City’s remarkable campaign to secure a place back in the second-tier has had a wider effect. Throughout the season, Brian Barry-Murphy’s training sessions have regularly included Academy talents who have had a taste of the First Team environment.
One player who has benefitted from that is U21 defender Jack Kingdon, who joined City from Manchester United in the summer, going on to captain Darren Purse’s outfit in the PDL this season.
“As soon as the First Team secured promotion, you could just sense the atmosphere was boosted even higher,” Jack began. “We were all confident anyway but I feel like promotion is giving the Club that little edge. The Academy lads, we're all buzzing for the First Team because we see them every day at the Vale. It's just a nice feeling for us all at the Club.
“It’s taken a lot of hard work. No game in football is easy so it's all credit to the players and staff for putting in the hard work every day. The squad have clearly been listening to the coaches’ instructions, taking in all the information and taken it in onto the pitch. That’s been key in showing the fans and everyone what they're capable of.
“It's really inspiring for the Academy players. We see the First Team working so hard in training and for every minute of the 90. It’s an insight into what we need to do to get to that level. Watching them day-in, day-out, when we train with them, trying to match their intensity, that prepares us for what senior football is going to be like.”
BECOMING A LEADER
In keeping with the Academy’s strategy, the U21s side has been a young outfit again this campaign, requiring the more experienced players in the squad to show leadership.
Jack has worn the armband in a crucial role, providing advice and guidance to those younger than him. The defender also had the experience of being captain in a First Team game, coming in the Vertu Trophy against Arsenal’s U21s side.
He continued: “I’ve thoroughly enjoyed it, it’s the first time that I've been captain for a season. I’ve really enjoyed helping the lads and using my experiences from my previous loan and being around the First Team. I’ve tried to use that to help our games and training standards. It’s about making sure we keep going until the last whistle.
“If you’d have told me when I signed that I’d captain the First Team so early in my career, I definitely wouldn't have believed you. It was an amazing feeling coming into the changing room on the day and seeing my name as captain on the teamsheet. It was a really surreal feeling. I was happy for myself individually but glad that the team played the way we did.”
LOOKING AHEAD
Having secured promotion back to the Championship with a high influence from Academy graduates, momentum is with the Bluebirds heading into the next campaign.
“The fans can be very excited about the next players to come through the Academy. We’ve seen players like Dylan Lawlor, Ronan Kpakio, Cian Ashford, Rubin and Joel Colwill, they’re all lads that have come through the Academy and are key First Team players now.
“If we want to carry that on, as an Academy, we just need to work hard every day and keep showing everyone what we’re capable of. That’s exciting for us, the Club and the fans.
“There are definitely learnings to take from this season that we’ll look to bring forward. The Academy’s ambition is to have more First Team debuts and keep building on the history of this Club. Bringing through young players has always been a big tradition at Cardiff City and we want to keep that going.”