Our vision for a bright future

The hero of the hour is the latest home-grown talent to make it into Rafael Benitez's first-team and as the club's Academy director watches on from the stand, he allows himself a fleeting smile of satisfaction.

This is the ideal scenario we put to Frank McParland, who heads into 2010 having just completed six months at the helm of Liverpool's Kirkby youth base.

He chuckles at our suggestion before reiterating the plans he has in place to make that dream a reality.

"It's a massive project and it is early days but I'm really pleased with the advancements we've had with the coaching and everyone has taken on board what we wanted," he tells Liverpoolfc.tv as we caught up with him prior to the festive period.

"But I just want to make people aware that we are here for the business part of it. In two years' time, if we haven't produced anyone for Rafa, he won't be happy.

"So we do have short-term goals too. Obviously there is the bigger picture with the five, six and seven year olds. That's our future. But we know we need to get 14, 15 and 16 year-olds through as soon as possible."

To say the Academy has undergone a makeover in recent months is something of an understatement. From coaching methods right through to scouting and nutrition, there has been a complete re-imagining of how the club should move forward.

McParland has been at the centre of this, with the mandate set out by boss Rafael Benitez his guide to establishing the youth set-up as one of the finest in the country.

"The biggest thing is the improvement in the whole place," he says. "We have a lot of good, hard working professional people here.

"I'm also really pleased with the way all the players have adapted to what we are doing. In terms of coaching, Pep Segura has set a model up for every age range to follow.

"Although results haven't been great at under-18 level, Rodolfo is doing a good job and all the players are really well organised. They are much better tactically and technically - they are improving.

"This time next year I think we will have a fantastic under-18 team. A lot of them are first years. You wouldn't think they are which shows how well they have done. You have to remember that some of the lads they come up against are really under-19 so it's not always easy.

"But it's not just about under-18s. Look at the likes of Steve Cooper who is working from the under-16s down. I think the under-16s have won every game except one. Unfortunately we don't really report on those results.

"Mike Garrity looks after the younger ones up to the age of 11. Kenny (Dalglish) watches them with me sometimes - the technical level on those kids is unbelievable. The desire to do well is great too.

"The under-eights right through to the under-18s are all playing in the same style as Rafa's side. We are therefore trying to bring through players who are going to be able to fit into positions in our first-team."

Prior to assuming control of the Academy, McParland made his name as one of the country's most respected scouts.

His reputation was one of the main reasons behind his appointment and he is well aware that the recruitment of the best young talent around was one of the major issues to address.

So, apart from the players already in our ranks, how does he feel the scouting department performed in finding some new blood?

"We've signed about 25 kids since I took over as Academy director," he says. "We've bought some cheaply from other clubs and we've also signed some from abroad. We've brought in a couple of lads from MTK Hungaria and they have done very well. We are really pleased with that.

"We are tying in with Eduardo Macia at Melwood and we are also reorganising things here. The scouting has improved a lot. We have to improve locally and Rafa is very keen on us bringing through British players because of the ruling for European competition.

"We are trying to be busier and trying to do better. If you've got good people watching games then you'll find the players because there are some talented youngsters out there. We are working hard to make sure we tap into that."

He adds: "Obviously Rafa is heavily involved in what we are doing. He speaks to me four or five times a week. I'll also have a meeting with him once a week, so you can see we are all working as one.

"He could have chosen not to do anything with the Academy and focused on improving the first-team squad and the reserves. But he has a long-term vision. I want the fans to know that there is a bigger picture and Rafa is 100 per cent committed to it. He's putting the foundations down because he wants to be here a long time and we want him to be here a long time.

"He's the most honest, hardworking and intelligent person I've ever met in football. He's helped me so much in my career and I learn from him every day. He's got so many ideas and knows so many things about the game that it's a joy to be in his company."

McParland's insight into Rafa's overall vision is interrupted by the whir of his mobile phone. The distant murmur of Glaswegian tones and the twinkle in McParland's eye suggests it is Academy Ambassador, Kenny Dalglish, who informs him he is en route to the office.

Apparently it's the day of the Academy Christmas lunch and the legendary number 7 is eager to inform McParland of his choices in wine - red, of course.

It leads us nicely on to the subject of one of the club's most iconic figures and his impact on all-things Academy at grassroots level.

"Kenny's here pretty much every day," he says. "He wants to be involved and know everything about it. He's been a player, a manager and been involved in football all his life. He can offer a different perspective to us.

"Now and again he'll go out and play the final 10 minutes of games with the under-13s or something like that. It's a massive boost for everyone. He still wants to be the best player on the pitch too!

"I never thought I'd be sat in my office having Kenny Dalglish ask me if I want a cup of tea, or going to the canteen and getting one for him. He's a little bit older than me and I remember watching him when I was growing up. It's incredible to be working with someone that you actually worshipped.

"I think Steven (Gerrard) will eventually be regarded as the best player Liverpool have ever had, but for people from my era, Kenny was something else. Steven will go on and win more with us and achieve greater success with Liverpool, so he will be seen as the greatest modern player we've had.

"It depends on your generation I suppose. My Dad always tells me it was Billy Liddell!"

With a Christmas party to prepare for, it seems apt to wrap up the interview, leaving us with a simple question to ask in conclusion. What has been his stand-out moment so far and what does he hope to achieve in 2010?

"The highlight has been to see progression from all of the teams," he says. "We should be a breeding ground for the first-team - both staff and players. If we have a good enough coach who is progressing well, I'd hope we could get him up at Melwood. The same applies to physios, kitmen, etc.

"If you told me we would win the Youth Cup for the next five years but don't get a player in the first-team, then it would be a failure. Don't get me wrong. The games are really important. Once we've had a season working with these lads and got them playing the way we want, then we will have some players that could go through. If that's the case then we are obviously going to win a lot of games anyway.

"But we need to find that 'special' player. We have to produce top quality players. It's not about the Youth Cup. If we go out in the next round, I'll be as disappointed as anyone, but it's not the priority.

"If in five years' time we don't have anyone through then that's when I'll lose sleep."

susahnya di CM

Huft.... hari-hari disini begitu sulit sob, semua serba sendiri, jauh dari orang tua lagi... tapi, walaupun begitu, aku harus bertanggung jawab atas pilihanku, namun minggu pertama terasa menyenangkan, minggu kedua, aku mendapatkan tekanan batin yang amat kuat sehingga membuatku dawn, aku gak tahu mau berbuat apa lagi, semua hasil ulanganku gak ada yang lulus, pokoknya hari-hari itu sangatlah menyedihkan bagiku sampai-sampai ingin teriak rasanya. Akhirnya hari perpulangan yang pertama datang juga, tapi kami tetap sedih, karena kita hanya diberi waktu pulang hanya satu hari dalam sebulan, mana dikasih tugas bejibun lagi....

Hari berlibur pun usai, kembali lagi dengan keadaan awal yang menyedihkan. Hari-hari kulewati dengan penuh keterpaksaan sehingga membuat semua nilaiku anjlok...... . gk,, gak bisa.... saya masih gak bisa terima keadaan ini....

Tapi, hingga akhirnya kutemukan orang yang tepat untuk mencurahkan isi hatiku. Namun semua itu belum cukup bagiku. Semua rasa ini, kemarahan ini, ku pendam hingga entah kapan. “Aku gak kuat.....” apa lagi sempat beredar kabar tak sedap tentang ku dan seorang gadis. Mereka bilang kita pacaran, padahal aku sendiri sudah menganggapnya sebagai sahabat, adik, sodara, semua lah.... yah mungkin karna aku yang terlalu dekat dengannya, sehingga kami di kira berpacaran. Huh... dasar asal tuduh saja... rasanya pengen nangis, jerat-jerit, semuanya lah. Apa lagi ditambah nilai UTS ku yang begitu rendah dari yang lain.

Untungnya hari ini, hari Kamis, 22 Oktober 2009 aku bisa meluapkan semua kekesalanku dengan menangis, walaupun gk etis, secara laki” koq nangis??? Tapi hanya itu yang aku bisa. Jadi begini ceritanya, kan pelajaran indonesia, semua murid seneng banget karna gurunya gak da.... tepi ternyata gurunya digantikan dengan bu Iceu, ya dah, untungnya gurunya enak. Terus bu Iceu dateng bawa dus kue, saya kira isinya makanan dan mau di berikan kepada murid X3, eh ternyata beliau membuat sebuah game, game tersebut harus bertanya dan pada akhirnya harus menebak isi dus tersebut, permainan pun berjalan, akhirnya kuta dibagi menjadi dua kubu yang berbeda, aku mendapatkan kubu kiri, karena aku menjawab “garpu” padahal isinya adalah sendok.... akhirnya kubuku, disuruh berakting... eh.... ternyata bukanya ackting, ternyata menjadi ajang untuk mengungkapkan perasaan mereka, aku menangis karena ingat ortu di rumah, rasanya ingin memeluk mereka, mencium mereka, cerita pada mereka, tentang berapa menderitanya aku disini, betapa gak betahnya aku disini, betapa bosennya aku disini, aku pengen nangis sekeras-kerasnya.... walaupun begitu, aku yakin, ini adalah jalan yang terbaik bagiku, semoga di kemudian hari aku mendapatkan apa yang aku inginkan, yaitu masuk ITB dngan jalur beasiswa, dan membanggakan ortu dan semua orng yang sudah percaya padku bahwa aku bisa masuk ITB, tapi akhir” ini aku tidak merasakan kemudahan, dan aku rasa, gak mungkin bisa deh... tapi, Iqbal laki, Iqbal pasti akan jadi kepala keluarga, Iqbal mampu, Iqbal bisa, Iqbal harus jadi orang yang sukses, di dunia maupun di akhirat. Amin.....

cerita seru di CMBBS

SUKA DUKA DI CMBBS

UN SMP tlah usai, “ukh.. akhirnya lulus juga..!” seruku seraya menyapa teman-temanku. Aku bukanlah seseorang yang kaya, bukan juga orang yang pintar. Namun aku termasuk orang yang beruntung, betapa tidak pada awalnya aku hanya ingin mencoba seberapa jauh wawasanku terhadap pelajaran, jadi aku mencoba mendaftarkan diri ke salah satu sekolah yang cukup terkenal di pandeglang, itupun kalau tidak karena paksaan ortu, pasti aku tidak akan mau mendaftarkan diriku ke sekolah itu. Bukanya sombong ya... tapi, anehnya walaupun aku mencoba tidak mengerjakan soal-soal dengan sepenuh hati, tapi Allah berkehendak lain, ternyata aku diterima. Wah, babak pertama tlah ku lewati, ternyata ada sekitar 800 orang yang lulus seleksi administrasi, salah satunya aku.

Hari yang kita tunggu-tunggu selama ini akhirnya tiba juga, hari itu adalah hari dimana semua anak saling bersaing memeras otak masing-masing dari mereka agar diterima di sekolah ini. Jam pertama pun tiba, “bal, dah siap blum? Ih.. saya mah udah siap, siap-siap gak ketrima...... haha...”. itulah si "A", walaupun dalam keadaan yang menegangkan pun dia masih bisa tersenyum dia adalah salah satu kawanku yang beruntung dan yang pastinya lebih pintar dari ku. Singkat cerita, waktunya istirahat “hah... tak terasa akhirnya beres juga... gimana yan? Bisa? Berapa soal yang gak dijawab?”, “weh... Cuma dikit yang gak dijawab...” “enak kamu, dah punya banyak pengalaman..ah dah.. aku mau istirahat dulu... pusing...” . kami diberi waktu istirahat hanya 20 menit gak bakalan kerasa.... tapi, tetap ku nikmati dengan serelax mungkin. Huh, akhirnya jam kedua... seperti jam sebelumnya, ketemu soal-soal yang bejibun. Singkat cerita, test hari kedua telah ku lewati. Tinggal nunggu hasilnya deh.....

Dag, dig, dug.... subhanallah.... perasaan dadaku gak pernah berdegup secepat ini... “eh dara, gimana dar? Pengumumannya dah ada belum?” “wah ketingalan kereta kamu bal.... kan udah dari tadi siang ditempel dimading....” jawabnya dengan tersenyum meledekku. Dengan perlahan menuju mading pegumuman.. dalam hatiku sempat tersirat “pasti gak bakalan diterima..” tapi maha suci Allah, ternyata aku diterima dengan segera ku langsung bersujud berterima kasih pada sang pencipta... “eits.. perjalanan belum selesai jangan seneng dulu bal...” kata salah satu temanku yang tidak senang atas keberhasilanku. Never mind, namanya orang, berbeda pendapat gak papa lah. Ngomong-ngomong soal diremehin, aku sering sekali diremehin... tapi aku gak mau menyerah begitu saja, akan kutunjukkan pada semuanya bahwa aku bisa jadi lebih baik. Ah kok jadi gak nyambung gini... kembali ke our topic. Sampai mana tadi ya.... oiya sampai aku melihat pengumuman. Keesoksn harinya kujalani hari-hari di sekolahku seberti biasanya... hingga hari dimana kita memeras otak lagi untuk mengerjakan semua soal yang berhubungan dengan seberapa besar IQ kita. Duh, mimpi apa aku.... ini kali kedua aku bersyukur sekali pada Allah. “I waw soalnya susah mana habis ini tes keagamaan lagi... huft” begitulah celotehan murid-murid sesudah mengerjakan soal-soal tes IQ. Dalam hatiku hanya berkata “kalo emang rejeki gak akan kemana...” eh, ternyata Allah masih bersamaku dari 23 orang yang mendaftar dari sekolahku, hanya 10 yang diterima dan 1 orang lagi menjadi cadangan ofcourse termasuk aku. Pada awalnya aku menjalani semua ini dengan tidak ikhlas, namun setelah aku pikir-pikir berapa banyak pengorbanan yang sudah orang tuaku berikan demi mewujudkan impian mereka yaitu memiliki anak yang pintar, bukan hanya pintar didunia, tapi pintar soal akhirat juga karena aku hanyalah anak satu-satunya, jadi akulah tumpuan bagi orang tuaku. Selain itu, karena kami tidak memiliki mobil, jadi kita hanya dapat mengendarai dua motor untuk sampai kesini. Ah... pokoknya masih banyak lagi deh pengorbanan yang diberikan ortuku untukku.

Akhirnya hari pertama di CMBBS pertama kali masuk, aku merasa asing tapi seneng.... hari pertama kita tidak melakukan apa-apa hanya membereskan lemari dan kasurnya masig-masing. Malam harinya kita berkumpul di RKB gak ngerti apa panjangannya, mungkin Ruang Kita Bersama...hehe. disitu kita dikumpulkan untuk diperkenalkan dengan apa-apa yang harus kita lakukan di CMBBS oh iya ketinggalan kita juga diperkenalkan dengan penjaga keamanan di CM ialah excelone inilah orang-orang yang paling disiplin di CM. Pada awalnya, aku tidak merasa terusik dengan adanya excelone. Ternyata mereka begitu otoriter terhadap kita semua. Selain itu, ada yang dinamakan dengan LO mereka adalah pembimbing kami pada saat Mabis. Hari-hari terasa sangat lama disana, namun semuanya terasa indah bagi kami. Hingga suatu saat, diadakanlah sebuah sesi untuk mencurahkan semu isi hatinya kepada sang MC, namun acara ini tidak berjalan dengan lancar, karena pada saat sitengah-tengah acara excelone datang dan langsung membentak kami tanpa alasan yang jelas. Dari situlah aku berfikiran pasti ada apa-apanya....

Hore....... akhirnya hari terakhir.... Hari berikutnya adalah hari terakhir dalam acara MABIS ini, pada hari itu kami semua mengadakan acara api unggun, pentas seni, n makan-makan. Namun, sebelum acara dimulai, kami berkumpul di perpustakaan untuk membuat candle light circle yang bertujuan untuk merenungi semua kesalahan kita dimasa lampau, tapi lagi-lagi excelone datang mengganggu acara. Ternyata mereka masih ingin melihat kita menderita, di perpustakaan kita disuruh berdiri dan beberapa dari kami diminta untuk menampar salah satu dari LO, pokoknya semua ada deh di perpus. Yang seremnya lagi, kita semua dibuat nangis karena ternyata semua itu hanya rekayasa dari pihak OSIS, dengan menangis tersedu-sedu, kami menyanyikan Mars CMBBS. Singkat cerita, sampailah pada acara puncak yaitu, pensi antar kelompok, n api unggun, acara waktu malam itu sungguh mengesankan, dan dari situlah kita mengetahui bahwa semua ini adalah sandiwara.