The idea put forward by Chelsea manager André Villas-Boas that top clubs should be allowed to play ‘B’ teams in the Championship is gaining some traction. It was discussed, not unfavourably, on Radio 5 this morning.
The idea put forward by Chelsea manager André Villas-Boas that top clubs should be allowed to play ‘B’ teams in the Championship is gaining some traction. It was discussed, not unfavourably, on Radio 5 this morning.
It is allowed in Spain and it has been argued that it has contributed to the success of the Spanish national side. However, one has to remember that attendances fall away quickly to two or three thousand in the Spanish leagues whereas one has to go down to the fifth division to find equivalent attendances in England.
There’s no doubt that reserve football has hit problems with players hating playing in the ‘stiffs’. But such games help to maintain fitness for fringe players, provide a work out for players coming back from injury and provide a development route for Academy players. At Charlton we have lost out by dropping a reserve side.
Back in the 1950s 1,500 to 2,000 would turn up for reserve games on alternate Saturdays. Now games are often played at distant non-league grounds, while those not in a league play ‘behind closed doors’ friendlies at the training ground.
It would probably be inappropriate to put such teams in the Championship, but there might be a place for them in League 2, although then the question would be who they would displace which would probably stop the idea being implemented.
I have always thought that the ban on nursery clubs was open to question. A formal link up with a top club could provide a lifeline to a League 2 club facing financial problems and could boost attendances.