New FAI academy manager Will Clarke pleads for Government funding

“We don’t get any centralised Government funding, whereas other comparative countries receive around 16% of their turnover in the form of state or municipal grants.”

League of Ireland academy development manager Will Clarke during an EA SPORTS national underage league media day in Abbotstown, Dublin. Picture: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

Amid the chaos Irish football finds itself, both on and off the pitch, the man tasked with navigating a way out admits that only Government support can aid the rescue mission.

Will Clarke is 12 weeks into his role as FAI’s club academy manager, a specially created position for the new reality of League of Ireland clubs taking ownership for producing the next generation.