Sheffield United Academy manager Ron Reid hopes Kyle Naughton and Kyle Walker can inspire the next generation to reach similar heights at Bramall Lane.
Naughton, 20, and latterly 19-year-old Walker have emerged as two of the brightest prospects outside the Premier League this season after forcing their way in the Blades first team and have returned to the club's academy to remind youngsters what it took to get there.
Reid said: "I asked Kyle Naughton to come to the academy one night when the youngsters were training and when he turned up I pointed out to him that it wasn't long since he was there with the under-16s. It's only three or four years since he was in that position.
"He spoke to every group and explained what had got him to where he was - effort and hard work. It was great because he was out of his comfort zone, he was nervous, but he spoke to the lads and their parents.
"It's great for the youngsters to say that they have spoken to Kyle Naughton, he is a role model to them and it was fantastic that he came down to see them."
Reid added: "He doesn't know it yet, but I'm going to do the same with Kyle Walker because it does the young lads the world of good."
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That assumes that both Kyles stay at The Lane, as 2 of our better performers in that dismal Playoff Final they did a good job putting themselves in the shop window.
Good on yer, sport. What we need is a family team, not one simply compiled entirely by cheque-book. Like some East End of London coagulations now infesting the Premier League.
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