Athletic are fully behind a Football League initiative to encourage the progress of local players. Alan Hardy explained, "It looks as though the Football League could be leading the way on this important issue. Personally, I think the Premier League ought to be looking at introducing something similar because if we don't develop more players it will impact on the national team. Obviously there is European Union legislation on employment matters which has to be considered, but I still think something can be done." The thinking behind the suggestion is that a percentage of home-produced players should be either in their squad list or alternatively starting games. Athletic can boast that they have one of the best youth policies in the league, a fact that can be attested as nine of the 24 strong first-team squad have come up through their youth policy.