Blackburn Rovers aim to stay at the forefront of youth development, chairman Robert Coar told the annual meeting of shareholders at Ewood last night.

The Premier League is spearheading a drive to follow Howard Wilkinson's proposals for top clubs to form their own Football Academies.

And Mr Coar revealed that Rovers were looking at improving the facilities at Brockhall to cope with an increasing number of young players.

But it is likely to be some months yet before firm decisions are taken.

In view of the impact made by emerging Ewood talent such as Damien Duff, one shareholder was anxious to know more about the club's youth development plans.

And Mr Coar, taking questions after the formal business of the annual meeting had been concluded within minutes, said: "The youth policy is very important to Blackburn Rovers, especially with the advent of the Bosman situation. We believe that the Football Academy is something we will get involved in.

"Quite how quickly we are not sure. It might be six months, it might be 18 months. There are certain criteria being discussed such as number of pitches etc. "When we built Brockhall, we had one of the most modern set-ups in the country.

"That now needs enhancing because of the number of youth players we intend bringing into the club."

Significant changes are on the cards for football below first team level but the issue is still in the melting pot.

"Whether the reserves, A and B teams continue we will have to wait and see," said Mr Coar.

"The feeling seems to be to have under-21 sides, with over-age players, and perhaps an under-18 side with regionalised football.

"It is all up for discussion and the Premier League are taking the lead centrally. No firm decisions have been taken yet but it will probably be decided in the next six months."

The possibility of giant TV screens being installed at Ewood - as at Highbury and other grounds - has been considered and not yet discounted.

Rovers are also monitoring the digital TV revolution. "It's a question of what football is going to do. We will be involved but there are a lot of unknowns at the moment," said Mr Coar, who was re-elected to the board along with Richard Matthewman.

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