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Gary Issott on Academy transfer fees and scouting network

Here, in his own words, the Academy Director, Gary Issott, who has played a vital role in Crystal Palace's famed Academy production line, talks through what exactly Category 1 Academy status will mean for the south Londoners.

Academy

When the owners took over in 2010, the desire was always to achieve an Academy with a Category 1 status.

The Academy’s then-site of Copers Cope Road just wasn’t big enough to house all 10 teams – people may not realise just how big an operation the club is running with sides from Under-9s right up to the first-team.