The inside track on Sunderland's academy plans as Paul Reid opens up on his vision for the future

He had made a breakthrough at Carlisle United, the club he loved more than any other.

The big clubs came calling.

Newcastle had shown an interest in the past and now Arsenal, Liverpool and Leeds were keen.

In the end, Reid moved to Rangers, having impressed Dick Advocaat in a trial. He never made a senior appearance.

Reid would go on to forge a successful career in the Football League, a centre-back who ultimately made over 450 appearances for a number of clubs.

His playing days ended at Eastleigh, where he met Stewart Donald and spent a short stint as Head of Recruitment.

He developed an appetite for that side of the football business, and began to further his education. A masters degree in Sports Directorship at Salford University is ongoing , while he also spent time studying at the Johan Cruyff Institute.

Reid thinks deeply at the game and is comfortable chatting about all manner of topics, from the potential impact of Brexit to England’s football revolution, Athletic Bilbao and more.

That education has created a deep interest in culture and strategy, while his own experiences as a youngster with a big reputation has an obvious benefit in helping him in his new role as Academy Director.

Around five months after taking the role, it has been about quiet evolution rather than revolution.

By his own admission, he has taken the post at a time of ‘perfect alignment’ at the club.

The new ownership see the academy as critical both morally and financially.

The manager has a keen interest in promoting young players and Sunderland’s League One status has opened doors for players who otherwise might have had to be far more patient.

“It’s priceless for us,” he says.

“We’ve got a manager that buys into the academy and is willing to give people a chance, willing to reward both good character and good performances in the U23s and U18s.

“It gives us physical evidence when you try to recruit players.

“That’s our USP at the moment, there’s a pathway there that everybody could see.

“We’ve averaged five youngsters in the squad the first team squad this season, I’d like to see that against a lot of the other teams in the leagues. “

Maintaining that as Sunderland (hopefully) rise back up through the leagues will present an altogether greater challenge.

It is not lost on any supporter that the likes of Conor Hourihane, John Egan and Martyn Waghorn would not just be regulars in the current set-up but absolutely vital players.