Former Dundee United academy director Andy Goldie has assured supporters that there is an “exceptional” generation of kids emerging at Tannadice.
Goldie took charge of United’s youth programme in 2019 and, following a lamentable decline in status due to underinvestment, oversaw its rise to Scottish FA ‘Elite’ status.
The Tangerines fielded SIXTEEN home-grown talents on their way to finishing fourth in the Premiership last term. Precocious 16-year-old striker Rory MacLeod became the club’s youngest ever player.
However, Goldie is even more excited about the intake who were around the age of 11 or 12 when he initially arrived in Tayside, citing the benefits of United’s link-up with the Baldragon Academy.
That gifted group is now populating the under-14 and under-15 levels at United — and Goldie, now in charge of Swansea City’s academy, admits it was a wrench to leave Tannadice before seeing the fruits of that labour.
“The vast majority of the high potential players, if they continue to develop the way we believe they can, still sit at under-15s, under-14s and below at Dundee United,” Goldie told Courier Sport. “That should provide a lot of excitement — and it made it very difficult for me to leave.
“It would have been nice to see that through because there is some exceptional talent in the younger age groups.
“Around the top-end of the academy just now was a gap we had identified. It probably wasn’t as strong as what was above it and what was coming through below it.
“But Baldragon is already producing results. Samuel Cleall-Harding has been on the bench for a couple of games at 16 years of age; you can see green shoots coming through from that work.”
“A lot of success coming”
The likes of Ross Graham, Archie Meekison and Kieran Freeman are currently flying the flag for academy graduates in the first-team.
Fees have also been banked for Louis Appéré, Jamie Robson and Kerr Smith, while Chris Mochrie and Kai Fotheringham are shining on loan with Dunfermline and Stirling Albion, respectively.
And while the amount of academy graduates getting senior minutes for United has dipped compared to lasts season, Goldie sees no cause for concern.
Delightful first touch and finish by Chris Mochrie for Dunfermline yesterday. The Dundee United kid is flying with the Pars 🏁
Another goal for Kai Fotheringham at Stirling too ⚽️
🎥 @officialdafc / @ParsTV_Official pic.twitter.com/BEtMoJ3NTs
— Alan Temple (@alanftemple) November 20, 2022
“It might look on paper like the academy has failed, or that the headlines about United’s youth academy are not to be believed,” he added. “But that work is still ongoing and there is a lot of success coming. It just sometimes takes a bit of time.”
Change mindsets
Goldie’s passion for the project at United is undeniable.
He occasionally describes the Tangerines as “we” despite his summer switch to Swansea — and is immensely proud of the structural and tangible progress made by the club at academy level.
“Dundee United are very similar to Swansea in the way United fans relate to their own,” he added.
“Of course they will celebrate a Benji Siegrist or Lawrence Shankland. When Jim McLean was appointed, the vision was to develop home-grown players.
“What they achieved in 1983 (top-flight title win) and beyond was build on those home-grown players, with an influence of high-performing players from out-with the area.
“I think followed that path last season. To qualify for Europe, while giving opportunities to 16 academy players and five academy staff including the head coach Tam (Courts), leaves a real legacy.
“I hope they continue to build on that, but also change mindsets throughout Scottish football when it comes to giving early opportunities to young players and staff.”
The man charged with overseeing that progress is Paul Cowie, United’s new academy director.
He worked under Goldie prior to being promoted to the top job in the youth system.
“We didn’t feel we had the depth of coaches, initially,” recalled Goldie. “So we had to invest from elsewhere.
“The Scottish FA highlighted Paul (Cowie) as one who had real potential. From the very first meeting I had with him, I could see his enthusiasm and ambition.
“Paul understands the United strategy and knows where the high potential players are. So you would like to think he’ll be able to build on that.”
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