Reserves stay up

[Coffin Ender]

Erith & Belvedere lost 4-7 at home to Herne Bay today (4-4 at half-time), so reserves finish third bottom.

[michael]

Happy Days.

 

really pleased for all involved.

 

 

(and not that i am bitter and twisted in any way-but i do note that despite the en masse defection at the start of the season to ramsgate-they remain in division two)

[SteveB]

Final Reserve League Table available on the OFFICIAL SITE.

[michael]

I'm unsure what happens to Herne Bay now ?

 

Main side now promoted to ryman south

.

Their Reserves win Kent League div one-so do Herne Bay reserves now replace their first team in the Kent Leagu premier ?

 

Odd and interesting scenario

[Bill in USA]

No, the 1st Div and 2nd Div is for the reserves. A reserve team cannot go up to Premier.

[Bill in USA]

this is from Martin on our forum the other day. We were discussing the amount of poor games for the reserves:

 

Just got back from a meeting (in SE London) to discuss this, so the Kent League Management Committee can decide what to propose at their AGM.

Lack of a Floodlight Trophy, and small divisions, meant there was not enough Reserve team games for the majority of clubs (despite the league cup being on a mini-league basis rather than a straight knockout).

Most clubs agree that we need about 30 games/season, and the majority of teams present said they wanted one division (a few didn't however and in addition a couple of clubs won't be running a reserve team again next season although there are a couple of new clubs that want to). If the numbers stay the same as at tonight's meeting it would mean about 20 games, which in turn would mean a couple of other teams might drop out as it isn't worth it.

The Floodlight Trophy might make up the difference, and some of those who support this being re-introduced have asked that it isn't restricted to reserve teams so 1st teamers can play, and also that non-Kent League teams be allowed to enter (as it is midweek only). However, a few clubs (no names) said that if the Floodlight Trophy did run then there couldn't be one Saturday division as this would mean the season could stretch to the end of May (or beyond).

Of course, those clubs that currently ground share will have a difficulty fitting all the fixtures in anyway (unless they play some of their reserve games elsewhere).

So, a lot of decisions still to be made (and that is just one league!!)

Edited May 7, 2012 by Bill in USA

[blueblood]

I know in some eyes,we had a poor season, mostly ones that either popped in for the odd game and drew their conclusions from that visit or those that never visited a game but still gave their opinions never the less. Thanks to Kevin and his team ( who started late with a empty team sheet)by the end we could give the best of them a good game and, we SURVIVED.

In my view something needs to be done if the Kent reserve league itself is to survive as a useful tool for the development of players to bridge the gap and make their way into the 1st team squads. It is difficult to keep youngsters enthused, as they see no natural progression through to the senior squad, instead they are enticed year in year out to other clubs ( remain nameless) with the promise of great things only to be let down and loose enthusiasm for the game.

Maybe the Reserve structure needs splitting in two, perhaps a under 19's team in the Kent 1/2 and a more senior side in a London based league would be the answer. As I have said before more friendlies with senior north Kent and London Clubs( Come on Reserves fixtures secretary this one is down to you, do your job. Earn your corn) This would need paying for, perhaps a specific fund raising push could do this.

It seems to me that at present the only way to get the 1st team upto the standard we all want to see is by paying out big wages, we have at present tried to keep a limit on said payments. From the outside this seems to have failed, the wages not being enough to attract the quality of striker or midfielder we required to push on and fill the gap left by Kwassi.

Big Nev had the vision for our reserves, If the apprenticeship scheme comes off maybe we will go a long way to fulfilling his vision of making Margate the Man Utd of the south east.

Edited May 8, 2012 by blueblood

[Coffin Ender]

One idea would be to allow Ryman reserve sides to be promoted to the Premier Division of the Kent League. They would offer better facilities and crowds than some of the existing teams. In the 70s there were Southern League reserve teams in the Kent League but I don't think the FA would allow it now.