Watford's Academy boss says he 'understands and respects the club's EPPP decision'

The Hornets last night confirmed the Academy would lose its Elite Player Performance Plan Category 1 status and instead pursue Category 3, meaning the club no longer has to compete in an Under-21 competition.

The move has prompted fears from fans about the future of youth development at Vicarage Road but Cox insists the decision is a sensible one.

“I understand and respect the fact that our owners are doing what is right for this club, given the challenges they’ve faced,” he said.

“If our lads are ready – be that at 17, 18, 19 – then they are very likely to be playing competitive first-team football, whether that’s here at Watford or out on loan to build experience.

“We believe this competitive experience, something we have always given our young players, is going to be better for us than competing in the Under-21 league.

“The new football staff are clear that this is still very much the plan for our emerging young talent, so it’s a decision that’s much easier to support on that basis.”

Changes to EPPP’s initial recruitment criteria mean the club will be able to recruit players at nine years of age and still sign them on professional terms at the age of 17.

And while league fixtures for the youth teams are likely to be against lower standard opposition, it is expected that friendlies against bigger clubs will still be held behind closed doors in the week – which is common already.

Cox, who has moved up the Hornets’ youth coaching ranks during the last decade, stressed the focus of the club’s Academy remains the same.

The recommended budget guidelines – which clubs are not obligated to follow – state that a Category 1 Academy should spend £2.3m, £1.5m for Category 2 and £500,000 for a Category 3 club.

It is still unclear what the future holds with regards to Watford and their relationship with the Harefield Academy, and also the level of funding.

We hope to have further information later in the week.