Youth is the Way Ahead

Last updated : 20 April 2005 By Charlie Roper
Burnige: Youth Policy
After two seasons of big signings and high wage bills, it looks like Millwall will be returning to the days of old when signings were cheap - ie, free - and youngsters were given a chance.

Chairman-elect Jeff Burnige, speaking to the club's official site, hinted that the big clearout many predicted will take place, leaving manager Dennis Wise with nothing but a couple of journeymen and a bunch of youngsters who, although promising, have yet to prove themselves at this level.

If such a clear-out does take place, it may be the straw that broke the camel's back as far as Wise is concerned. The manager is still angry that he was not allowed to sign the players who he believed could have got The Lions into the play-offs and has already had a public falling out with Theo Paphitis' successor.

"We have taken a big gamble on wages this season, and it hasn't quite come off," said Burnige.

"The last two promotions - in 1988 and 2001 - were achieved by teams we had groomed ourselves, and we need to revert to what we do best and what has succeeded in the past.

"We will be looking for our best young players to play a major role next season."

Many fear that the likes of Andy Marshall, Danny Dichio and Barry Hayles will be forced out of the club during the summer, while Paul Ifill and Darren Ward will be sold off on the cheap. Stoke City have already expressed an interest in Ifill and an insider at the club has already confirmed to Millwall Mad that a bid has been accepted for the tricky winner.

Meanwhile, the current crop of youngsters coming through the ranks are no better off - despite Burnige's statements. Peter Sweeney and Paul Robinson have yet to be offered a new contract while Alan Dunne and Mark Phillips have been told that their current deals will not be rubber stamped until the end of the season.

Whichever way you look at it, it's going to be a long summer at The Den.