HULL City's vulnerability within the new youth development structure has been demonstrated with the loss of promising centre-forward Harry Cardwell to Reading for just £75,000.
Cardwell, 16, has become the first youngster plucked out of the Tigers' ranks since the Elite Player Performance Plan (EPPP) was voted in by Football League clubs in 2011.
Under the new regulations, where compensation is set by a fixed tariff for all players under 18, City were effectively powerless in their efforts to retain Cardwell once he turned down a two-year scholarship to remain in his native East Yorkshire.
The decision of the former South Hunsley High School pupil, who shot to prominence during last season's FA Youth Cup run to the quarter-finals, is known to have disappointed City's youth set-up after spending seven years at the club, but is seen as a harsh reality of the Tigers' standing as a Category Three Academy.
While Reading are able to boast a Category One status alongside the biggest clubs in the English game, a historic lack of investment sees City as the only Premier League club without either Category One or Two status.
Cardwell's exit has at least generated City a compensation fee.
In figures mapped out by a rigid framework, the player's length of service and the academy status of the selling club are used to calculate the money owed to City. It is understood the fee paid by Reading for Cardwell will stand around the £75,000 mark.
Cardwell, raised in North Cave, was regarded as one of City's best prospects, twice coming off the bench to score extra-time winners against Swansea and Leicester to send City through to the FA Youth Cup quarter-finals.
