Under 21 development league

[MK_Coach]

Does anyone have news about the possible creation of an Under 21 development next year ?

I have 5 players who could join.

Some teams were interested to create a new under 21 development league but I do not know what is the Spartan South Midlands league commeety decision on this proposal.

Thx,

[Karen Browne]

The decision on Reserve football next season will be decided at the AGM in June.

Clubs are attending meetings this week to discuss the proposals on reserve team football

[Monkey8]

Whats the general view on this from everyone on here?

[Munchkin]

I think it's a good idea, however the current proposal stating you need Level 6 (forgot the actual grade) ground would prohibit us from joining.

 

Personally, having an under 21 development league with a maximum of 5 over age players allowed in the match day squad would be my preference and no reserves as is. That is how we want to run our reserves, although appreciate this would impact other clubs more than others and might stop them entering a reserve/development team.

 

I would add running both a development and reserve league could negatively impact the reserves side of things. Unless the development was purely midweek, however the cost impact of that could be an issue to some clubs.

Edited March 3, 2015 by Munchkin

[Karen Browne]

Following was sent to all clubs

 

Following the recent questionnaire, a total of 23 clubs expressed an interest in joining a Development Division for next season, and this interest is being followed up with a meeting of those interested clubs.

However, there were 26 clubs who stated that they would continue to run a Reserve team, whether in the SSMFL or in another League.

In the light of these results, the Planning and Development Committee have recommended to the full Management Committee that we continue to run at least one Reserve Division alongside the Development Division for next season. 

 

There was a meeting last night for the clubs that expressed interest in development league and on Thursday there is a meeting for the clubs that expressed reserve league

[MK_Coach]

Is it 3 players over age 21 allowed by team or up to 5 ?

What does it mean level 6 ground grade ?

Edited March 3, 2015 by French_in_MK

[SamC]

Maybe take a look at the United Counties League who have done this during the current season. Think they had a lot of initial interest but struggled to get 6/7 clubs to start, have had a couple drop out and has turned into a bit of a farce with teams playing each other 8/9 times.

They also started the organisation much earlier in the season before.

Personally, I think it is a wonderful idea in theory but awful in reality. A strong reserve league gives a young player far more exposure to real football at this level than a few more seasons playing youth football. The difference is how the game is play is massive.

By doing this, one will not work - either the u21 league or the reserve league.

[Munchkin]

Is it 3 players over age 21 allowed by team or up to 5 ?

What does it mean level 6 ground grade ?

The overage players was just my opinion. Mainly means floodlights and some other stuff really.

[Whitley Bay]

Does anyone have news about the possible creation of an Under 21 development next year ?

I have 5 players who could join.

Some teams were interested to create a new under 21 development league but I do not know what is the Spartan South Midlands league commeety decision on this proposal.

Thx,

 

If you have five players at this standard, why does it need the creation of an U21 Development League for them to play SSMFL football, as there are (probably) plenty of Reserve sides who would welcome an 'injection of new blood'.

[thecoldend]

Ryman league has been running an u21 South and North division for 2 years now. Very successful so far. 3 over aged players can be used so for older players coming back to fitness you kill two birds with one stone as they pass on experience and get fitter for first team action.

 

Many of the sides i've seen use all u21 players. it's a real bridge between the junior and adult game.

[SamC]

The Ryman doesn't have a designated reserve league though does it? Assume a lot of those teams have therefore made the decision to have a development side rather than a reserves.

As I said earlier - if it works it will kill the reserve league. If it doesn't (like has been the case in the UCL where the reserve league has remained stronger) it will be a farce

[Munchkin]

Not unlike the reserves this year with 4 clubs pulling out.

[Savagebee]

When we had a reserve team last season most our the players that played for the reserves were under 21 years old anyway.

[Uncle T]

Why not play 5 U18 players in the reserve team?

[MK_Coach]

What I have seen in other leagues friendlies and I assume that good team composed by players:

• under 16 could win against mid table reserve teams
• under 17 could win against top division two teams
• under 18 could win against top first division teams
• under 20 could win against top premier division teams

Playing in reserve bottom table would mean that the player level would be simular to the best under 16 youth teams !!

This is why the under 21 is important specially for premier teams (step 5 non league) who are loosing their best players moving up to step 3 and 4.

 

The under 21 could become an educational project in order to help young players specially the one born in July or August who never had any chance to enter MK dons, Northampton or Luton accademies. They never did it not because they are not good, but because their only mistake was to be late bloomers born in the summer.

1/6 of english population (e.g born in July or August) were out of elite football because born in July, August or late bloomers.

Over one million players have been kicked out in the last decade just because of date of birth !!

Less than 1% of brisitsh players are born in August ? why ?

Should we banned from youth elite football teams player born in July/August ? I know that the spartan league is not elite football but few coaches as myself were pro football players before and we can help. Some players will only catch up the others at 19. It is never too late even at 18 to become pro later. The under 21 can help players to sign first contract at step 1 (conference national), step 2 (conference south and north) or even step 3 (some teams have pro players) then good luck for the best of them.

 

The under 21 could be a positive answer to that problems. In life, there are no mistakes, only lessons so let's do it

Edited March 4, 2015 by French_in_MK

[LordBrackley]

Don't think it's a good idea if it affects Reserve League football. In my opinion a Development League at this level is posturing, similar to clubs having a Director of Football. Most of the players being "developed" will probably scarper to the club paying most money anyway. 

[MK_Coach]

Do you think that under 21 development league should only star at level:

• step 1/2 non league (conference level)
• step 3/4 non league (leagues feeder of conference north and south)

Are steps 5/6/7 are too low to have such a development league because their reserve teams level is already similar to youth level ?

[LordBrackley]

Do you think that under 21 development league should only star at level:

• step 1/2 non league (conference level)
• step 3/4 non league (leagues feeder of conference north and south)

Are steps 5/6/7 are too low to have such a development league because their reserve teams level is already similar to youth level ?

I thought the Academy and Development programme was really for clubs to bring on players who were hoping to make a career in football. I think there is a big gap between U18 and Adult football but if enough Clubs at lower levels wanted an U21 League, then fine! 

[SamC]

 

I think there is a big gap between U18 and Adult football

 

Totally agree - feel such a move would only be detrimental. Reserve football gives young players a realistic bridge between the artificial environment of youth football and the harsh reality of senior men's football. I have played in the north west reserve league and apart from afc dunstable (I understand as I haven't played them) all the top sides, with their current teams, would struggle to meet the requirements. I know whilst we at Stony have on average 6/7 players under 21 in our reserve side, tipping the balance further would be negative. Similarly the improvement some of the young lads have shown by being around the older 6/7 players this year (both on and off the pitch) is huge.

 

Just taking afc dunstable (basically an excellent development side) I bet they learnt more about the senior game from losing 3-2 earlier in the season to a very good (but more experienced and physical) crawley green side than in any other game they have played.

 

As I think you can probably guess - I am totally opposed to this!!

[Munchkin]

You played against us on Saturday and 10 of the 13 players were under 21, but agree generally majority of clubs are a mix.

 

Would also add Crawley Green are generally an exception that reserve team have been together for a few seasons now with few moving on the first team as regulars.

 

One thing I would say is at least the league are looking in to different options. If clubs want to go that way it will, but think we will end up with a development and reserve division next year.

Edited March 4, 2015 by Munchkin