Jinky relieved to hear Dens youth set-up will go on

FORMER Dundee head of youth Ray Farningham says he was delighted to read reports that the club’s academy set-up would survive beyond the coronavirus shutdown.

The Dark Blues finances have been hit hard by the 2019/20 season ending early and, with no games likely in the second tier until October, owners Tim Keyes and John Nelms have moved to reduce spending across the club.

That’s seen the majority of the playing squad accept reduced wages until May while news of cuts to the academy heralded concern for the future of the youth set-up.

However, news that each of the age groups would be kept on and the head of academy and technical director Stephen Wright and Gordon Strachan would be taking a more hands-on approach is a relief for former Dundee midfielder Farningham.

‘Jinky’ told the Tele Sport: “When I saw the news about possible cuts, I thought it was really sad so it’s great news it looks like the club will be able to keep the academy going past the shutdown.

“I am pleased to hear that and they have two very experienced guys at the helm in Stephen Wright and Gordon Strachan to see them through.

“It’s brilliant to have someone like Strachan around and, if he’s doing more coaching because of the cuts, that can only be a good thing for the kids at Dundee.

“By all accounts he’s been pretty hands on with all the age groups anyway and speaks to all the laddies, giving them advice on things to do and what not to do.

“You can’t ask for better than that.”

After finishing his playing days at Dens in 1998, ‘Jinky’ took on the role as head of the academy before becoming assistant manager to Jocky Scott then Jim Duffy and later to John Brown and Paul Hartley.

The academy role was one he thoroughly enjoyed and says there was nothing better than seeing youngsters he’d helped through the academy make it into the first-team squad at Dens Park.

He added: “When I was at Dundee, even before the Bonettis’