Boro's recent success has been based on the quality of the young players who have come through the Academy. Paul Fraser reports on a seemingly never-ending production line.

HAVING achieved one of the most memorable victories in Middlesbrough's history in Rome on Wednesday night, there is a growing belief the club's outstanding Academy will ensure success on European and domestic fronts for years to come.

In the intimidating surroundings of the Stadio Olimpico, Lee Cattermole, who is 18 next week, proved again his ability to cope with the biggest of occasions and refused to buckle against international midfielders Daniele De Rossi and Olivier Dacourt.

The Stockton youngster has become an integral part of Steve McClaren's system since breaking on to the Premiership stage at Newcastle United on January 2.

But Cattermole is not the first, nor the last, to have shown how effectively the Academy has been operating under the guidance of director Dave Parnaby and his coaching and recruitment staff.

As well as the more established North-East youngsters like Stuart Parnaby and Stewart Downing, there is a long list of homegrown names to have emerged on to the first team stage under McClaren.

Only Brad Jones, an Australian, does not hail from the North-East and Boro boast more England youth internationals than any club in the country, taking over form Manchester United.

The even better news is that there are more promising English youngsters on the horizon.

Seb Hines, Josh Walker, Nathan Porritt and Jonathan Franks have all represented their country at youth levels and are fancied to have successful careers ahead of them.

The Boro conveyor belt bears similarities to the way in which West Ham produced the likes of Frank Lampard, Jermain Defoe, Joe Cole and Rio Ferdinand. The difference being that with chairman Steve Gibson's millions Boro are not in a position where they have to sell.

While credit must go to the Academy, McClaren deserves enormous recognition for having the bottle to throw the kids in.

"Lee's only 17 but I had no hesitation in putting him in for such a big game in Rome," said McClaren. "With young players most of the time you never know, you just throw them in and you find out.

"A lot of 17-year-olds I wouldn't throw in. But it's amazing when you do throw them in and they excel in that environment.

"I remember Lee's first game against Newcastle in January. He had a massive game - what composure, what character.

"And on Wednesday Roma was easy for him. He's already giving the performances of a man - if you are good enough you are old enough. He must think this game is a doddle.

"It's disappointing we will be without Lee and George Boateng in the next round. We're going to miss them both."

Downing, who hails from Pallister Park in the town, is the first of the ever-growing list of academy products to play for his country and he feels he will not be the last.

"It's best to bring local lads through. I know Arsenal are playing many foreign players but really I think this club are doing it the right way," said Downing. "I hope there will be more that progress on to the senior international stage .

"It makes our win in Rome even more special because we did have so many lads who have come through the ranks. You have to have the belief in them to play them and by playing Lee against Roma at 17 the manager has shown that belief.

"We had Andrew Taylor and Adam Johnson on the bench on Wednesday and they played their part as well. And because we have all come though the ranks together we all get on as well, so there is a good spirit between us all."

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