Cassell is the understated, unsung hero who has built the club's academy into the best in the land.
The conveyor belt of talent has delighted City boss Sven-Goran Eriksson, who has turned to Micah Richards, Nedum Onuoha, Stephen Ireland, Michael Johnson and Kasper Schmeichel to blend with the £40m he splashed out on overseas stars.
Cassell, the manager of the Platt Lane-based academy in Moss Side, has always had a keen eye spotting stars of the future and was hailed for sticking with Shaun Wright-Phillips who had obvious skills but was short on stature.
Ex-Blues boss Joe Royle first met Cassell when they were at Oldham Athletic.
Royle told MEN Sport: "He won't thank me for revealing this but he was an original Busby Babe in the days of George Best but he got a bad knee injury and drifted out to Bury and his career was cut short.
Trust
"He's always been one of my best mates, someone you can trust.
"He looks like a schoolteacher and loves his gardening, even working in that industry. He can bore you to death telling you the Latin names of everything that grows.
"The fact is he's a meticulous football man, a true unsung hero who has saved the club an absolute fortune over the years.
"When I first got to City he was my chief scout as well as in charge of the academy. As far as I'm concerned his opinion of a player is second to none.
"What does he look out for? Well it is trite to say someone who can run but that is a fact in the modern game. We used to go scouting together at United, City, Leeds, Everton, watching reserve games and Jim was instrumental in putting together that great Oldham side that played United in two FA Cup semi-finals."
One of Cassell's greatest assets is his ability to not only act as a friend of the youngsters under his wing but also get to know their families.
His long-serving career at City has seen him work for Frank Clark, Royle, Kevin Keegan, Stuart Pearce and now Eriksson.
Royle has kept in touch with Cassell and together with other football pals goes on holiday with him each year.
He added: "That academy that has produced such players as Shaun and Bradley Wright-Phillips, Michael Johnson, Onuoha, Micah Richards, Stephen Ireland, Kasper Schmeichel, Lee Croft, Dixon Etuhu, Willow Flood and Stephen Jordan is the best in the country."
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An absolute hero.
He should also be our chief scout.
well done Jim, and thanks for all you have done, i do hope the club reward you well for all the talent you have brought through, and thankyou joe royal for signing our captain, what a snip 3m for dunnie........
If anyone deserves a knighthood for services to football it has to be JC.
He is a legend and should have a testimonal game instead of all these over paid players.
Top Bloke, we are very, very lucky to have him.......
Hats off to Jim & his staff for keeping the production line rolling. Lets remember too the sterling work that the likes of Harry Godwin, Steve Fleet, Glyn Pardoe, Colin Bell & others contributed to the cause over many decades to establish us as pioneers in youth development!
Absolute legend.
Thanks Jim. You've done a superb job for City.
May it long continue.
Here! Here! Agree with every word. Shudder to think where City would be now without him.
Sven's Posing Pouch, Blackley. Very good suggestion and one you should make to AM via City Forum. One would hope from his comments about Academy's in the Far East and USA that Frank has been astute enough to realise the value of the work that Jim and his team have done and will put increased financial resources into the Academy set up.
With all these players breaking into the first team you couldn't present a better shop window and a stronger message to young quality players everywhere (and their parents) that they should be signing on the dotted line for the Blues
I agree with Svens Posing Pouch. Give JC the a testomonial in recognition of his long service and the exellent work he has dedicated himself to over the years. he is a true blue city ledgend (UNSUNG) Lets get a petition together...50000 plus signitures can not be ignored....The Blue moon web site would be a good place to do it I thinks....
I have said many times, we have the best academy in the country and it's all down to Jim! That's why I'm surprised the rags have never tapped him up? They are good at nicking other teams staff!!!
Well done Jim and I hope Frank pays you well. You are worth every penny!!!...
not only us but the whole of England should be grateful to Jim When other teams like Arsenal,Liverpool,Chelsea have gone to spain,France,and god Knows where to fill there accadameys jim has stayed in our own back yard and unearthed some gems !
Arise Sir Jim
i do hope franks given him a nice healthy new contract
How long before he gets poached by Arsenal, Chelsea or - heaven forbid - the Scum? Double his salary Frank. DON'T LET HIM GET AWAY! CTID
The Queen's honours list considers anybody that is suitably nominated these days rather than just big time charlies who don't actually do anything except hog the media limelight (Beckham). Hopefully someone will have the good sense to nominate Mr Cassell for his services to football. To say it is richly deserved is an understatement.
Great players get testimonials - Maybe in this case City should give Jim one. He's a great bloke, runs a fantastic academy and has saved the club an absolute fortune over the years.
Top man he has a talent for talent.....thanks JC
I`d personally go further myself and say Jim has kept us in the premiership over the last 2 seasons with the players he has developed. He really is an unsung hero.
Willow Flood?
We are very lucky to have him!
Cannot praise this man enough. It's so good to see academyproducts in your footballteam. Obviously his skills are to spot and nurture homegrown talents. Some things are there not to change.
bluetooth - perhaps the long-suffering fans could have a testimonial too, eh?