BT Sport pundits have added their praise to Crystal Palace for their new academy aftercare programme for released players.
The Eagles have set up a wide-ranging care plan for players aged 18-23 that are let go from the club, supporting them on their journey after being released and helping them find a new club, education programme or job.
It is believed that Palace are the first UK club to commit to a three-year aftercare scheme to help players, with former professionals Michael Owen, Rio Ferdinand and Robbie Savage praising the Eagles for their initiative on BT Sport.
"I think it's a real good first step for football and Crystal Palace should be applauded for that," said former Liverpool man Owen. "Because it's not nice being released.
"I hope every club follows suit and I expect there will be a lot of them. We should look after our players no matter what, there should be this in place.
"The more we can help people that do struggle we absolutely should and it's brilliant on Crystal Palace for sorting that."
Savage, who was released from Manchester United as a youngster in 1994, missed out on the chance to be a part of the famous 'class of 92' and said being turned away felt like he had let his family down.
"Sir Alex Ferguson explained very eloquently to me why I was getting released," he recalled.
"He said there were better players at the club at the time - and there was. I said goodbye to the lads, drove home and that was it.
"From the age of 14-19, I had a new family, the class of 92, new mates and people I'd got on so well with. Then I was getting in my car driving out of the Cliff training ground and having a car crash at the wheel because I was mentally all over the place.
"I was scared to tell my parents because of how much they put into us as youngsters as well. I was scared to tell mum and dad I'd let them down."
Palace's new programme will seek to avoid circumstances like Savage's, although the midfielder did go on to enjoy a successful career both domestically and at an international level with Wales.
The club's co-owner and chairman Steve Parish has said he recognises that many players' feelings of pride take a hit when they are released from a big Premier League club and said it was important the aftercare programme addressed issues like these.
"We recognise that when an older academy player is released, it may feel like the end of the world for that young man," he said. "We must do our utmost to offer support to affected players through that process and guide them with the next stage of their journey.
"That typically begins with us providing introductions to new clubs or continuing to include the players in matches to enable other clubs to watch them play.
"But it may also be about helping them continue their education or begin a life outside of football in the workplace. Whatever their path is, we want to offer our support to them to help them achieve success."
