The founder of Right to Dream Academy, Tom Vernon, has revealed the crucial role departing Manchester United football director John Murtough played in making sure the Eastern Region-based academy was a success.
Vernon indicated that Murtough paid fees for Right to Dream Academy graduates no one else was willing to pay, establishing a foundation for the project through that.
The Right to Dream former CEO is saying this in the wake of Manchester United announcing that Murtough will be leaving the club.
Vernon disclosed he made available attachments to players from Right to Dream before eventually signing them.
“I spent many years in the early 2000s trying to engage European clubs in our mission. Everyone apart from Fulham where John was the academy director ignored us. John flew to Ghana and diligently built relationships with some of our best players.
“He offered many development attachments and pro contracts to our first-ever Pros from RtD. He paid transfer fees that no one else was willing to pay in the African market and set us on our way.
“When he moved to Everton he did the same thing.”