Should feeder clubs be allowed?

The Football Supporters’ Federation have opposed this idea which has been raised again recently. They state, ‘We know the answer to that one. Back in January 2012 we polled our members on this very subject after Andre Villas-Boas made a similar suggestion while Chelsea manager.’

‘86% said they opposed the idea of top-flight clubs buying feeder sides. If top-flight clubs tried to force this idea through, and it stinks of self-interest, the backlash would be huge.’

The Football Supporters’ Federation have opposed this idea which has been raised again recently. They state, ‘We know the answer to that one. Back in January 2012 we polled our members on this very subject after Andre Villas-Boas made a similar suggestion while Chelsea manager.’

‘86% said they opposed the idea of top-flight clubs buying feeder sides. If top-flight clubs tried to force this idea through, and it stinks of self-interest, the backlash would be huge.’

There are really two versions of this idea. One is to follow the Spanish scheme of allowing top clubs to run their reserve teams in lower leagues. There would have to be restrictions on promotion and any interference with the traditional system of promotion and relegation upsets many fans.

For the top clubs, of course, it would give their fringe players more competitive games and a chance to develop more effectively. The old reserve system never really worked in this respect and even the new development squad arrangement does not seem to be offering much more. Fans aren’t generally interested, but I sense that many have a non-league club as their second team.

There is an alternative version which might be more feasible and that is to abandon or modify the rule that prohibits ‘nursery clubs’ which was introduced in the interwar period after the then Clapton Orient envisaged such a relationship with Arsenal.

In fact for many years Crewe had a ‘de facto’ arrangement with Liverpool which involved some two-way traffic. Such arrangements could be formalised. A third possibility would be for a top club to buy a club elsewhere in Europe, a Watford in reverse.

The top clubs aren’t going to shrink and lower league clubs need to be innovative if they are to remain viable and play reasonably entertaining football.