Reserve, Youth Leagues & The Development of Young Players

Not sure how long ago it stopped. I remember your season ticket giving you free admission.

 

It was still going as recent as 2008/2009. I remember going to reserve games then.

Edit - 2012 it folded.

Your memory must be pretty poor lol

 

Dont forget we had the Northern Intermediate League as well . Being “ local” we used to see them all. First time I ever saw Stuart Mc was as a young kid in the NIL.

 

That’s completely missing the point. Reserve games were an avenue for bringing on youngster’s, young professionals and rehabilitation for senior professionals. How handy would that principle be in 2022?

 

In the 70s the reserves would play at Apperley bridge on a Saturday morning. I often used to go watch a young Peter Jackson, Barry Gallagher and a certain Bobby Campbell in late 1979 who was on trial for us after being sacked by Huddersfield. I think it was the Lancashire league that the reserves played in at that time.

 

but did you get loyalty points for going?

(sorry, couldn’t resist it).

 

Similar stories could be told…….all probably developed through the BCAFC reserve system.

Joe Cooke, Postman Pat, Mark Ellis, Dean Richards, Lee Duxbury (?)

 

They were very very competitive. I’d say from about 1964 through to cessation of moving from Manningham in 1970 we rarely missed a home NiL or reserve fixture. Don’t forget the old VP was like a piece of Swiss cheese to us locals. There is nothing more uncompetitive as your idea , especially as you suggest play against the same club every week. Useless tbh.
At least the old system had competitive leagues and from memory, Cup competitions.

 

A few years back I remember that Brentford said they used to play games against other London clubs home & away on a Wednesday afternoon
They said it helped get game time for up & coming players & game time for players recovering from injury also trialists
BCFC could do the same there are enough clubs around Yorkshire
Maybe let some spectators in at a pound a time ?

 

The youth set up is a huge waste of money that could be spent on the first team. When was the last time a player came from youth to first team and stayed there. We have had a few tried and then moved on but no one as an asset

 

Oh, can't do that (although it's a great idea)..too many elf and safety issues ...

 

We've made huge amount of money from the youth teams in recent history. Potential is a very salable asset and as we've found out, potential doesn't necessarily mean it will be realised.

 

That sound like the old Leagues. Northern based clubs on one division, Southern in another.

 

You are kidding?

 

We have financed the club heavily over the years from young players sold

 

What’s wrong with playing such reserve “league”games at Woodhouse, during the day as you say. No stewards, no floodlights , no staff costs other than those already employed and are likely to be there anyway. I’m looking for reasons to participate in a small league of say 10 West Riding , / East Lancs clubs, rather than dismiss out of hand suggesting like others have , that it wouldn’t be effective.

Other than player and staff refreshments, neutral costs , what other spend would be required. Officials?