Port Vale CEO - Matt Hancock ("Pathways, Depth Charts and Development"") - Episode 27 Snippet")

I’m joined by Matt Hancock the CEO of EFL League 1 team Port Vale, on Episode 27 of my podcast.

Matt tells me about pathways and academy depth charts. These depth charts compare players from under-9 to under-18, noting their attributes, strengths etc and are rag rated based on their potential readiness for the First Team.

The depth charts are created for every position. So, let's say all the strikers from under-9 to under-18 score goals, but one in the under-15s is quick, and one in the under-18s is quick and technical, while all the other strikers throughout the age groups are similar. Those two strikers will stand out on the chart, and these are what decisions are based on comparison wise in every position in the academy.

This relates to academy transfers, trialists, and release/retain decisions in most academies like the one at Port Vale.