Derby County’s host families programme has provided a home away from home for many academy players coming through the ranks over the decades. From Jayden Bogle to Morgan Whittaker, the former Rams stars all followed the same process during their development, which ultimately created a conducive atmosphere for their eventual careers as professional footballers.

The academy experience is known to be demanding on all who comes through the system, so for Derby County’s Assistant Academy Manager Jamie Smith, the ongoing support of players, joined with a relaxed environment at home, is equally as crucial to their overall development as the training itself.

He said: “We want to give the boys the best environment that they can possibly work in. We want to make it challenging, but a relaxed environment.

“We see the figures – how unsuccessful players exit the system – but we have to remember these are young men, trying to find their way in life, so the support off pitch is really important.

“If we don’t have host families, we don’t do national recruitment. We couldn’t operate as well as we do without them.

“When they’ve got such a support structure at home – in their normal home and their host family’s home – it’s one less problem that they have to worry about.

“We all want them all to be footballers. But if not, I’m absolutely certain the aftercare that they get from us is an outstanding facet of the Football Club.”

Among the host carers to open their homes to the budding talent of Derby County’s academy is Sally Mycroft, who has always prioritised making the boys feel welcome.

She said: “I try to treat them as I treat my own children. They’re able to approach me if they have any problems, and we build a good relationship.

“A lot of them come when they’re 16, and most have probably never been away from home at that point, and so I like to think that they’re settled with me, and they feel at home. It gives them good ground to go on further.”

Centre-back Luca Crolla, who joined Derby County from Manchester City’s Academy in the summer, said his quick adjustment to life in Derby is nothing if not a credit to his host family.

“It’s been really easy to settle in,” he explained. “I’ve got a good support group around me, with the coaches and the host parents I’m staying with – everyone’s been amazing.”

The unsung heroes behind future footballing talent

The unsung heroes behind future footballing talent