Nicky Hunt Talks Wanderers Academy Prospects

In conversation with the BEN, ex-Bolton Wanderers right back Nicky Hunt has been talking about the club academy and how graduates are progressing to the first team.

Former Manchester United academy man Hunt said:

"I played against Joe Riley recently who is on loan at Oxford and he is doing well down there.

"It shows what these players can do at first-team level.

"Playing first-team football, even at League Two level, can be massive for younger players.

Hunt, who made over 150 appearances for the club, continued:

"Reserve football is a decent level but does not compare to senior football.

"Even the Conference is a much more competitive league these days.

"Any experience they can get out on loan will obviously help their development and I think it is good for them and the club to see how they get on."

In light of the new FFP regulations, and the club's ever-popular debt, Hunt had the following to say:

"It's a sign when youngsters break through that the club is going in the right direction.

"We have seen a few come in recently.

"Youth is always going to be a massive part of clubs like Bolton that haven't got the finances to go out and buy £10million players.

"It is imperative for the stature of the club to go forward.

"You want to develop young players for the first team and keep them.

"But it can also be profitable for the club to develop players and sell them on.

"Either way, you need to keep looking to develop your own players."

Wise man. Imagine if we had a team of Nicky Hunts. Well it'd be incredibly out of balance for one thing, but on the other hand we'd probably win the World Cup.