TOWN youngsters who have felt the sharp end of Phil Cannon's tongue during the last five years are largely the ones that have made the grade.

The club's popular youth development officer is preparing to leave the County Ground and take up a new post with Everton.

But Cannon feels it is only right and proper to present a final 'report' before clearing his desk.

A groaning trophy cabinet and numerous youth-to-first team success stories, Cannon's CV looks pretty impressive.

He has had to be adaptable because his role has changed considerably during five years at the County Ground.

Cannon is a coach, administrator, accountant, counsellor and negotiator all rolled into one.

He has had to convince promising youngsters that Swindon Town is the club for them and then work doubly hard to prevent them being poached by bigger clubs.

The youth development officer believes the future for lower division clubs like Swindon Town lies with the youngsters.

He said: "A system is in place now where the bigger clubs have to pay if they want your best youngsters.

"We are talking about serious money for young lads of 14 and 15.

"That, rather than first team transfers, is where the future revenue lies."

Matthew Collins is a good example of how youngsters can net clubs a profit without ever pulling on a first team shirt for the club that discovered them.

Cannon said: "Now that there is a safety net, it's not so bad. After all the effort you make, with the help of schools, clubs and scouts to discover youngsters, it was gutting to see them slip away for nothing. But now that clubs are compensated, it's better. Clearly, if a lad has his mind made up to go to a Premiership club it's very difficult to change his mind.

"But we have a group of lads here, many of them still at school, who have pledged their futures to Swindon Town.

"They want to play for their home town club and that really pleases me."

With the likes of Nathan Edwards and Kevin Halliday knocking on the first team door, Cannon leaves a happy man.

Cannon said that Halliday revealed at one stage that he thought Cannon 'didn't like him' because he received so much stick.

He said: "Nothing could be further with the truth. I will only spend my time on those that I believe have a chance to make it."

Nothing gives Cannon greater pleasure than seeing youngsters make the grade.

He said: "It's terrific when you see lads get through to the first team and show what they can do."

But for every one that makes it, there are thousands who see their dreams shattered.

He said: "That's the part of the job that really kills me.

"It never gets any easier, however long you've been doing it."

But Phil and his team try to cushion the blow as much as possible.

He said: "Reports and assessments take place regularly during a lad's time with us.

"Part of it is self assessment. They tell us how they think they are performing before we state our case, if you like.

"Parents too are kept up to speed. If they can see if their lad is starting to struggle and the reports aren't as bright as when they started, then they can usually read between the lines."

Cannon cannot think of any youngster who has slipped through the net and gone on to make a name for himself elsewhere.

He said: "It's strange really. A lot of letters I get from those who haven't made it, and their parents, are very positive and grateful for what we have done.

"You get the odd one who is angry but hopefully they will channel that anger into going out and proving me wrong.

"I hope one day that someone will. I would be the first to congratulate them."