NORRIS GREEN FC PROPOSAL ? as discussed in March 2009 Managers Meeting... Introduction of Reserve Team Football.

Situation:

? We still have approx 20 registered players available each week so not everyone is getting a regular game. On top of that, there are a further half a dozen players we have lost throughout the season who we know would still be interested in taking part.
? Our situation is this, we would like as many of these players as possible (if not at all) to be actively involved on a Saturday (i.e. playing 11-a-side).
? The only way all 20 (or 26, or however many) lads would get a regular game is by forming a new team, or for them to join another one.
? As a church, we don?t want to lose anyone so the only option is to form another team. And obviously, recruit a few more players.
? Under the current rules, if the club split into 2 then half of those lads who joined the new team would therefore no longer be eligible to play for the current team. If we had, say, 2 squads of 16 and 5 of the current team got injured, then you would have to look elsewhere for replacements because the lads you had ?let go? would not be eligible to play for that team.

Proposal:

? The only way we could keep all these lads interested, and actively pursue the possibility of extending and forming a new team, would be if the league could consider a rule change whereby your 2nd team would act as your reserve team and players could play for either, through a selection process.
? I have checked the West Cheshire League Rules and they have a ?reserve side? policy as do most, if not all, Professional and Semi-Professional clubs. So this is not a new idea, more the adoption of an existing one, that has been in use and established for many years.
? There are bound to be several key questions that would arise from such a change, all of which can easily be ironed out, and a sample of these are listed below.

Additional:

? We would like to stress that as a club we would not even consider the prospect of forming a 2nd team unless this rule was brought as we would not want to lose any players, so we have to investigate this before we even consider doing anything.
? Only then would we look at the wider implications of starting a new team such as; ensuring enough players are registered, finances, pitch, kits etc.
? It should be noted, however, that even if the rule is brought in, we might not necessarily find ourselves in a position to be able to bring in a new team (next season, the season after, or ever!). If the rule is in place however, the option would be there for us, and other clubs, to utilise if need be. Bringing in this rule and then not submitting a 2nd team would have no implications on the league whatsoever.

FAQ:

? How can we ensure that the best players (i.e. 1st team) are not being picked to help out the 2nd team in key fixtures? Especially if the 1st team have no fixture themselves?
Answer: In all cases, the integrity of the League must be maintained and the spirit of the competition be entered into ? this goes without saying and is already part of the constitution. Perhaps no more than ?x? number of players can be drafted into the 2nd team at any one time. Previously submitted team sheets could be checked to control this.
? What about eligibility for the Akeju/National Cup?
Answer: Players get cup-tied so can only play for one team in either tournament.
? Can both teams play in the same division?
Answer: No. If the 1st team already play in the lowest division, then no reserve side can be allowed in. If the 1st team play in another higher division and are relegated to the lowest division, then the reserve side must resign from the league. This happens in the West Cheshire League at present.
? Can both teams be drawn to play each other in the cup?
Answer: Yes. Through the ?cup tied? rule, 1st and 2nd teams are classed as 2 separate clubs and can play against each other if drawn.
? What if there aren?t enough players for both the 1st and 2nd team one Saturday?
Answer: As with running one team, when entering the league you have an obligation to fulfil each fixture and the normal penalties would apply if you fail to do this.


Best regards.
NG