Owls Look For Future Frankie

Wednesday have started their search for future Frankie Simeks - by starting talks with a US 'Soccer' Club over a possible partnership deal.

The Owls have already set up partnerships with clubs outside Europe, in Vancouver, and in Argentina to help with the progression of the club in bringing hot prospects over to Hillsborough.

And Owls Academy manager Sean McAuley has revealed that it's something Wednesday need to do to 'keep up to speed' with other clubs in England doing the same thing.

'We are currently in the process of setting up a partnership with a club in America, which runs a good programme,' McAuley told the Yorkshire Post.

'We currently have one in Vancouver, Canada, but there's an American club in Michigan that wants to be associated with us, and we have a development program with a club in Argentina, set-up through an ex-player, Juan Cobian.'

He continued: 'It's a global game now and we have got to get up to speed,' he said.

'The good thing about North America is there is still a lot of European heritage, whereas with the Argentina link, 60 per cent of Argentinians are of Italian heritage.

'In some countries, like Brazil and Africa, it's very unlikely that they are going to be eligible to play in this country. That's why some of the partnerships set up with other clubs, aren't worth the paper they are written on.'

The deal with the American club could well see their top young talent come over to Hillsborough for trials to play with the Owls in England, while Owls boss Brian Laws could also use the partnership to send over his youngsters to play in the American leagues.

And Wednesday will also be hoping that their hard work will pay off when they see some top young talent from the States mirror Frank Simek's progress in England - in a blue and white shirt.

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