WANDERERS manager Dougie Freedman admits it never gets easier to tell a young footballer he is being released without a professional deal.

The Scot is approaching the time of year when decisions need to be made about the future of the academy youngsters at the club.

And while he says it is a process that gets done each year, it is far from comfortable giving hopeful youngsters the bad news.

Speaking at a recent “Create Your Legacy” event at St George’s Park and addressing young players, Freedman said: “We write to each player and outline the reasons why we’re keeping them or why we’re letting them go.

“We then invite each player in to discuss the contents of that letter, and while the process isn’t difficult, actually getting the words out to tell them they’ve not quite made the grade is very hard to do.

“But even if you’re getting that contract – which is fantastic news by the way – how long are you going to be in the game? Five or 10 years?

“The lifespan isn’t that long, so realistically, why not start planning now and looking forward.

“I hope every young player makes it but I’m trying to be realistic.”

The event at the new training base for English football was part of a number of schemes run by League Football Education – an organisation set up by the Football League and PFA in 2004 to help advise young players on their options if they do not get the break they want in the game.

And with reported statistics showing that only a small percentage of those who pen professional contracts as teenagers make a career out of the game, it is an important and worthy scheme.

Attending the recent event along with Freedman were academy coaches and members of the Wanderers Under-18s who reached the quarter finals of the FA Youth Cup this season.

And those teenagers were keen listeners to the first-team manager and the other panelists that included Dame Kelly Holmes.

Young Whites goalkeeper Jan-Ole Sievers said: “We’ve just finished our BTEC in Sports qualification at the club which I think helps us as well because if we don’t make it as professionals we can go to university and study.

“I found it interesting to listen to the gaffer and the other panel guests – their message was pretty simple, but effective.”

Fellow U18s player Niall Maher added: “I found the day very interesting.

“Going around the exhibitors has given me an idea about secondary careers if football doesn’t work out.

“I looked at the American university and coaching options.

“Going out to the States would be allow me to sample a different lifestyle while playing football and carrying on my education.”