Arguments about the desirability of nursery clubs are likely to gather momentum in the new year. Some see it as a way of bringing greater financial stability to lower league clubs and as a way of more effectively assisting the development of younger English players. Others see it as reinforcing the dominance of big clubs in the game.
Some top clubs would like to follow the Spanish model of fully fledged ‘B’ teams competing in the lower divisions. However, this would be a step too far for the football authorities and most fans.
Arguments about the desirability of nursery clubs are likely to gather momentum in the new year. Some see it as a way of bringing greater financial stability to lower league clubs and as a way of more effectively assisting the development of younger English players. Others see it as reinforcing the dominance of big clubs in the game.
Some top clubs would like to follow the Spanish model of fully fledged ‘B’ teams competing in the lower divisions. However, this would be a step too far for the football authorities and most fans.
One acceptable solution may be for leading clubs to fund the academies of smaller sides, while they retain their distinct identity in terms of ownership and first team management. Nevertheless, questions would arise about whether that distinct identity could be maintained under such an arrangement.
Some top clubs already have close arrangements with lower division clubs, e.g., Tottenham Hotspur and Swindon Town, while Chelsea have an arrangement with Vitesse Arnhem.
Nursery clubs were commonplace in the 1930s, although they were banned from the FA Cup from 1936 when Clapton Orient were drawn against their nursery club, Ashford. Northfleet United (Tottenham Hotspur) and Margate (Arsenal) were two of the best known examples.