2016/17 Reserves Proposed Constitution

[Karen Browne]

UNDER 25 DEVELOPMENT DIVISION  - 16 Teams

Biggleswade United

Buckingham Athletic

Cockfosters

Colney Heath

Hadley

Harpenden Town

Hoddesdon Town       

Holmer Green – Provisional

Leighton Town

Oxhey Jets

Risborough Rangers

St Margaretsbury

Stotfold

Welwyn Garden City

Winslow United   

Wodson Park

 

RESERVE DIVISION - 9 teams

Aston Clinton

Crawley Green

London Colney  - Provisional   

New Bradwell St Peter

Old Bradwell United

Pitstone & Ivinghoe

The 61 FC (Luton)

Totternhoe

Tring Corinthians

[LordBrackley]

Looks interesting. Any information as to why are Holmer Green are provisional? 

[Munchkin]

What's happening to the reserve challenge trophy?

[Karen Browne]

What's happening to the reserve challenge trophy?

 

Nothing, as per usual all reserve clubs will be entered

[RED_ROBBO]

If Stotfold are in this  League, where do they intend to play their home games? At the Arena Stadium, Baldock perhaps?

[Karen Browne]

All Stotfold home games will be played midweek

[RED_ROBBO]

Roker Park is going to be a busy place between August and December then. 

[Munchkin]

Nothing, as per usual all reserve clubs will be entered

I'm presuming the age restriction doesn't apply?

[patemondo]

Roker Park wont be any busier than it normally is. Its our Under 21's who have gone in and they played midweek home and away last season

[OD's]

Roker Park wont be any busier than it normally is. Its our Under 21's who have gone in and they played midweek home and away last season

Are you not running a Under 21's next season in the Herts and Essex Combination.

[patemondo]

No. We wanted to tbh but there were only 7 sides last year and we were promised 18 games plus a cup competition. We ended playing 11 games and the league programme effectively over just after Christmas. We offered a way in which we could return to the SSML and the league committee agreed. Although we feel not having official linesmen is a backward step we decided we could not afford to take a chance on the Herts & Essex Combination as we lost quite a few players once they weren't getting games.

I know you and Hitchin have indicated you are going in but we were made promises of 12 teams prior to last seasons agm. So the fact it went down to 7 and little or no correspondence from the league after January made it a bit of a no brainer in the end. 

Aside from that we also have the legendary Mr Meathead himself Paul Donnelly Jnr as our development Manager 

[Jonno]

I think placing a restriction on over 25 players is a disastrous move

[tringarmy]

It will be interesting to see the league rules on how it will be regulated. If a team has more than the allocation of over 25s will they get a fine or points deductions? Reserve football can often be throwing players in at the last moment due to drop outs or first team call ups. It could lead to youngsters being held back from senior football as they are need to make up the numbers in the reserves. Who will be responsible for checking players ages? Will we have to introduce ID cards so referees can do it before the match?

League minutes indicate it will move to u23 then u21 in future.

[Jonno]

Having worked in reserve football for a number of years now, I know first hand how holidays, injuries, first team players coming back from injuries or needing minutes etc can affect the make up of a reserve side.

 

It's also not easy getting hold of players who play for under 18/17/16 sides to come and play on Saturdays and Tuesday's as a lot of managers in youth circles won't release their players for senior football to the detriment of their line up come Wednesday/Sunday in the EJA/Southern Counties league.

 

Recipe for disaster for me and an ill thought out proposal from all concerned.

[Karen Browne]

Clubs not happy with the Development Division can always follow London Colney's lead and play in the Reserve Division with no age restrictions

[Jonno]

Yeah, the travelling looks great in that divison. 9 teams as well. Cosmic.

[patrick]

I think placing a restriction on over 25 players is a disastrous move

It is a half baked poorly researched idea ,implemented with minimal consultation ,it seems london colney have little choice but I do not think they will be taking there place in what is described as the reserve league , most of the teams in the proposed reserve league have no choice due to lack of floodlights etc.

The suggestion is that players will feel better about playing in a development team rather than a reserve team! Also they are trying to get. 3officials for every match, unless they do it for nothing it will be more expense we can do without.

Jonno is spot on. Most reserve teams are subject to last minute changes ,anything that restricts the pool players can be selected from is wrong . KBs post is typical of the admin of the league we play in cluleless!

Edited May 30, 2016 by patrick

[Slidetacklelongthrow]

Having played in a 'floodlight league' in my younger days I have to say that the standard of that was brilliant and the 2 or 3 over 23's that played were a massive aid in our development as players. However, we were part of an academy and grew up through the age groups u18's etc which you don't get now, especially at SML standard. A reserve side generally now is made up of a few local young lads, the older lads on their way out and the lads that are happy just playing Saturday and can't make midweek games, plus your 1 or 2 recovering from injury from the 1st team.

I completely understand and a appreciate the idea behind it but at this standard it will never work, purely down to amount of unders and quality available.

[Jonno]

SPARTAN SOUTH MIDLANDS FOOTBALL LEAGUE

PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT DIVISION CONSTITUTION

SEASON 2016/17

 

At the Management Committee meeting on 24th May, it was agreed that:

1. The League will run a U-25 Development Division, with a maximum of 5 over age players allowed.

2. If there is enough support, the League will also run a smaller Reserve Division for those clubs who do not meet the Grade requirements for the above or do not wish to join the above.

 

U-25 DEVELOPMENT DIVISION

There will be a maximum of 5 over age players allowed to be allowed on the Team Sheet, although only 3 substitutes can be used (FA Regulations). We will however allow repeat substitutions. Age will be defined as at 1st August each year.

Membership will be open to all current Reserve teams whose clubs are in the SSMFL and with an F or G Grade. Clubs will be encouraged to change the name of their Reserve team to a Development XI and will have the option of fielding a U-21 or U-23 team if they so wished. This move should also help clubs to attract new and younger players (as well as retaining existing players) who may find joining a Development team as a step forward in their career.

Although the majority of games will be played on a Saturday, clubs should be available for midweek games as and when required.

One of the hoped for benefits of a Development Division would be the ability to provide 3 match officials. Unfortunately in the short term, due to an overall shortage of officials, it may prove impossible to allocate 3 to every game. However there will be a guaranteed minimum of I official provided every week, and should the situation change this will be increased.

 

RESERVE DIVISION

There will a Reserve Division for those clubs who either do not meet the Grade requirements for the U-25 Division or do not wish to join that Division. As it is likely that the numbers will lower than in either of the Regional divisions last season, the League have set the minimum viable number of clubs at 10. Clubs will have the opportunity to play each other 3 times should they wish and this will be decided by the clubs themselves at the AGM. From next season, only 3 substitutes from the nominated five will be allowed.(this is an FA ruling). There will be an option to either allow repeat substitutes (roll on-roll off ) to be used, or, due to the difficulties experienced in providing club linesmen, to allow substitutes to run the line. It will be up to clubs to decide at the AGM which option they prefer.

 

 

 

UNDER 25 DEVELOPMENT DIVISION - 16 Teams

Biggleswade Utd

Buckingham Athletic

Cockfosters

Colney Heath

Hadley

Harpenden

Hoddesdon

Holmer Green – Provisional

Leighton Town

Oxhey Jets

Risborough Rangers

St.Margaretsbury

Stotfold

Welwyn Garden City

Winslow

Wodson Park

 

RESERVE DIVISION - - 9 teams

Aston Clinton

Crawley Green

London Colney - Provisional

New Bradwell

Old Bradwell

Pitstone & ivinghoe

The 61 FC

Totternhoe

Tring Corinthians

[Jonno]

Some of the above is pathetic. Roll on roll off subs!!! A hahahaha!!!