Mark Robins has expressed his admiration for young talents Nathan Lowe and Sol Sidibe, congratulating them on their nominations for prestigious EFL awards. Both players, who have been part of Stoke City’s academy since their primary school days, have earned recognition for standout performances in the first half of the season. Lowe, now 19, impressed with a goal-scoring spree while on loan at Walsall, earning him a nomination for League Two Player of the Year. Meanwhile, 18-year-old Sidibe, an England youth captain, has been shortlisted for Apprentice of the Year.
Although the latter part of the season brought challenges—Lowe struggled for minutes after returning to Stoke due to an injury crisis, and Sidibe faced a setback with a stress fracture in his back—Robins remains optimistic about their futures. He hopes their progress will pave the way for other academy prospects to make the leap into senior football.
Robins praised both players for their professionalism, work ethic, and determination, noting that their early-season efforts alone were worthy of the accolades. He sees their success as a boost not only for the players but for the club’s development system as a whole. “They’re the trailblazers,” he said, “and hopefully more will follow in their footsteps.”
Robins is a strong advocate for youth development and believes that academy graduates play a crucial role in the identity and success of a football club. He acknowledged the importance of giving young players opportunities, saying there will always be room in the squad for those who prove themselves ready. Citing his own track record of developing talent and the club’s commitment to nurturing its own players, Robins stressed the importance of evolving the academy system to ensure a steady flow of talent into the first team.
He described academies as vibrant, community-driven institutions that serve as the foundation of any club. Most of Stoke’s young prospects come from within an hour and a half of the club, which, in his view, deepens the connection between the team and its local community. Robins spoke of the “holy grail” of youth development—replicating something akin to Manchester United’s legendary Class of ’92, a golden generation of academy players who made it to the top together.
The manager also highlighted Stoke’s recent financial benefits from selling academy-developed players, such as Harry Souttar and Nathan Collins, noting that many had been given first-team chances under Michael O’Neill. Robins himself, a product of Manchester United’s youth system, takes a keen interest in the workings of academies. He recalled his brief stint as a Premier League club support manager during the early days of the Elite Player Performance Plan (EPPP), during which he observed Stoke’s academy operations up close.
Reflecting on those experiences, Robins emphasized how crucial it is to nurture young talent correctly, crediting improvements in coaching and player development across the league. For him, a successful academy isn’t just beneficial—it’s essential to a club’s long-term strategy.
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