After a year in his role as Academy Director, Richard Johnson is pleased with the progress he has overseen during the previous 2021/22 campaign.

In a successful season of Academy football, the Under-18s concluded their campaign unbeaten in their final six matches, while a few Under-23 players, including Shaq Forde and James Morris, earned call-ups to the first-team, with the duo making their debuts against Leicester City in the Emirates FA Cup in January.

Alongside the older age groups, the Under-15s progressed to two finals in both the Floodlit Cup and the Poolfoot Cup, while the Schoolboy Programme continued to go from strength to strength. Johnson believes that the Academy has made big improvements on and off the pitch in the past year, with the assistance of Jimmy Gilligan as Head of Technical Development.

“It’s gone really quickly and it seems like such a long time since I arrived,” said Johnson. “It’s been a great experience, and Jimmy [Gilligan] and I work really well together. It’s been fantastic having him around with his experience.

“On and off the pitch the Academy is moving in the right direction. Off the pitch we are now fully staffed. The club have really backed me in getting good people on board in the sports science and medical departments. The overall Academy structure is in a really good place. Although it’s been quite stressful at times on and off the pitch, I have thoroughly enjoyed it.”

A key component of the success that the Academy has experienced recently is the exponential development in the squad, as more players get a chance to feature in higher age groups.

“We have made great strides in the development of some of the players,” Johnson continued. “When I first arrived the Under-23s had a few older players, whereas now we have changed the playing roster and are progressing players through the ranks.

“The players who are capable in the Under-18s are now featuring in the Under-23s. You’ve seen that with Ryan Andrews, who signed his first professional contract recently. He is only 17 and he has predominately played in the Under-23s.

“The Schoolboy Programme as well – when Jimmy and I first came in, we spent most evenings in the Dome getting to know the younger players.

“It’s been really rewarding for us to have seen the development. We have another exciting prospect in Adrian Blake who has predominately been in the Under-18s, but at the back end of the season he stepped into the Under-23s and hasn’t looked out of place – he is still only 16.

“In that respect, there are lots of positives on the pitch. Alfie Marriott, who went to Kings Langley on loan as a first-year scholar, ended up getting Player of the Season. That experience of playing men’s football at such a young age can really help with the development.”

For Johnson, a former Hornets midfielder, his priority is producing players that can go on to have a career in football, whether at Watford or elsewhere. He believes that the Academy has made a significant step in bridging that transition.

He said: “If you look at our mission statement, it’s about players reaching their academic aspirations first, and we are focused on that. Preparing them for a life outside of football, it’s really important to me and Jimmy. Not everyone is going to go on and play for Watford, but we can prepare players to get to a level where they find it.

“I went through it as a player and it spurred me on. That’s the hardest part - when you have to sit down with players and parents and have that difficult conversation that it might not work out here, but don’t give up.

“It’s a big thing in football now with the transition from club-to-club or club to a new industry. It’s something we are really trying to focus on to support the boys not just while they are here, but when they leave and go on their next journey. That is really important for us as a club. If a player’s future isn’t at Watford, then we will do everything we can to find them a new club.

“The overall picture is to prepare the boys for life. This season we have bridged that gap with several players making their first-team debuts, and others who have left finding new clubs. It was a spotlight on the Academy that we are heading in the right direction.”

Ahead of the fresh season under new first-team Head Coach Rob Edwards, and as Vicarage Road marks its centenary year, Johnson is excited for the future.

“What a great achievement to reach 100 years and it’s going to be kicking off with Elton John’s concert at the stadium,” he added. “I have many fond memories of coming here as a 16-year-old and making my debut at 17. The club has given me everything I have in football and gave me the opportunity.

“It’s great to see and it’s a fantastic club in terms of family and community spirit, and it’s only going to get stronger as it goes on. I only just remember my first goal at the stadium back in 1994! Looking back there have been some great memories at The Vic and lots more to come.

“Rob Edwards is coming in who has a history of developing youth with his experience with the youth system at England. If we can continue to bridge that gap and get some more players involved with the first-team in pre-season, it will certainly bode well for the Academy moving forward.”

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