Daggers downgrade from category three to category four club

Dagenham & Redbridge have announced their academy is to close following their relegation from the Football League.

It is understood the move has been taken to cut costs following a reduction in the budget ahead of the club’s return to non-league football.

Recent academy products to play for the first team include Jack Connors, Jodi Jones and Jimmy Shepherd, while others have been unused substitutes this season.

The club, though, has now taken the decision to downgrade to a category four academy, allowing an apprenticeship programme for up to 18 scholars to be run over two years.

“It’s disappointing that we have had to take this step because we are a club that has always tried to encourage young players,” manager John Still told the club website after the decision was revealed.

“Our football league status helped us to extend everything we wanted to do. Unfortunately, with relegation the financial side of it doesn’t work and we have to make sure this club runs as a football club first and foremost.

“However, we have stayed with a group of 16, 17 and 18 year olds and I feel like we have made the right moves in the right areas for the welfare of the club.”