BRISTOL ROVERS manager Joey Barton said that Crystal Palace’s Under-21s represent “what the problem is in the modern game” after his side’s 2-0 win over them in the EFL Trophy on Tuesday night.

FORMER Rangers manager Graeme Murty has been appointed Under-21s boss at Championship side Sunderland.

PRESTON NORTH END Chairman Craig Hemmings says the club aspire to go Category Two and are in discussions about building an all-weather indoor facility that will help them do so.

COACHES from the four home nations as well as from Belgium, Holland, Germany, Portugal and the United States came together at TGG’s Youth Development Conference for a day of learning and sharing ideas.

FORMER Burnley Academy Manager Jon Pepper has joined Lincoln City. Pepper worked for the Clarets for five years, from 2016 to 2021, and oversaw their rise from Category Three to Category One status.

GAVIN CHESTERFIELD is leaving Barry Town after 15 years to become the new Academy Manager at Cardiff City.

PAUL McGUINNESS has left his role as Leicester City’s Head of Player Development to help care for his father Wilf, who has dementia.

SOUTHAMPTON have hired Pete Haynes from Cheltenham Town in a revamp of their coaching set-up at Under-18 level. The 28-year-old, who was Senior Professional Development Phase Coach at Cheltenham, has been appointed U18s Individual Coach by the Premier League side.

CARL DARLINGTON has left the Football Association of Wales (FAW) after 17 years to become Everton’s new Head of Academy Coaching.

IAN BUCKMAN has been promoted to Academy Manager by Brighton, replacing John Morling.

FORMER Everton striker James Vaughan has been appointed as the club’s first Loans Pathway Manager. The 34-year-old joins from nearby Tranmere Rovers, where he had been Sporting Director since February.

ACADEMY MANAGER Dan Harris has left Oxford United after almost five years. Head of Academy Analysis Gavin Boorman is also departing, to join Tottenham.