Carlisle United Reserves

[6EQUJ5]

If our typical squad size is as shown on the 'Deadline day' thread we should be able to take part in a reserve league. I have an appropriate league in mind that at the moment has 10 teams in it. Making it 11 would give us 20 reserve league matches. This league also has a couple of cup competitions. Our only certain new expenses would be the cost of away travel and for home matches the expenses of the 3 or 4 officials (referee, referee's assistants and possibly a fourth official). One decent sponsorship should cover these expenses.

We could form a reserve team from the unused and lightly used first team substitutes plus the rest of the 31 man squad. Typically the first team may use 4 substitutes but usually 2 of them will play for 15 minutes or less. So the reserve team squad would consist of the 2 least used first team substitutes plus the 3 unused substitutes (keep these 5 'at it') plus the remaining 13 professionals of various categories. So there would be no problem in forming a reserve squad of a starting 11 and 5 substitutes. Even if injuries occurred to a few members of the professional squad we would still be OK for a reserve team. Of course the rule is that a maximum of 5 players can be on the bench but 2 or 3 would be OK, there is no minimum number of substitutes rule.

Furthermore in absolute emergencies the best couple of the youth team could sit on the reserve team bench, which would be good experience for them to possibly play in an open age league.

At present the 'ad hoc' reserve matches are 'more tea, vicar' occasions. We need a reserve team to be in an open age league playing for points, for form and for match fitness. 20 matches plus a couple of cup competitions are neither too few nor too many.

[Psaw]

Cambridge had the first semi pro reserve team in the eastern counties league, or so we were told. It was thought playing mens football would produce youngsters for the first team, it did not and was disbanded.

In the sixties and seventies there were vast reserve leagues of div 1 clubs and lower. There is now but on a much smaller scale. The lesson to be learned is that having reserve football is expensive and does not produce.

Just look at the dorks youve signed, Cambridge sign them all.

Its a miracle they got a contract, its wishful thinking by coaches over reality. Carlisle city made the qualifying round of the fa cup, who are they?, they must be semi pro with a ground, maybe you could play them a dozen times.

Or travel to Manchester and play Rochdale, and Manchester clubs,, the Dale game is massive. Bit of a trip though, Gretna might be better.

How much is a leg of lamb up there?

[6EQUJ5]

This would be in a reserve league consisting of clubs of a similar standing to us. Matches largely consist of full time professionals against full time professionals, with development players and maybe one or two youth team players on the 5 man bench.