Joined: Jun 01 2007 Posts: 12625 Location: Leicestershire.
Someday wrote:When we last had A teams we used to have players named A another and we got some decent players that way will that still happened do you think
I imagine they were amateurs, last-minute inclusions or maybe RU players who needed to be discreet. I don’t see any reason why those couldn’t be sources of new talent again. Back then though, the gap was from amateur (for example) to semi-pro, whereas, if we’re being selfish we’re looking for lads to step up to full-time RL. Talent is still talent - there’s just another rung on the development ladder.
Initially, I imagine it’ll be similar to (but better, I think and hope) the system that was in place when we first arrived in SL. Then it was, iirc, under-16s, -18s and -20s/21s with a certain number of overage players allowed in the last. Then they moved to 16s and 19s, in part because there was a feeling that a fair few lads who were never going to make it had to be retained to fill out the 20/21s. And the focus got narrower still with the CoH joint academy.
I think many of the reserves will be lads who are too old for 18s, but not yet ready for a senior contract. But with more flexibility, without an official age limit. To me that makes sense, rather than signing half a dozen extra pros who are over 24 just so we can field a team. The first team should be supplemented by a-team players, not the other way around imo.
'Thus I am tormented by my curiosity and humbled by my ignorance.' from History of an Old Bramin, The New York Mirror (A Weekly Journal Devoted to Literature and the Fine Arts), February 16th 1833.
Mild Rover wrote:I imagine they were amateurs, last-minute inclusions or maybe RU players who needed to be discreet. I don’t see any reason why those couldn’t be sources of new talent again. Back then though, the gap was from amateur (for example) to semi-pro, whereas, if we’re being selfish we’re looking for lads to step up to full-time RL. Talent is still talent - there’s just another rung on the development ladder.
Initially, I imagine it’ll be similar to (but better, I think and hope) the system that was in place when we first arrived in SL. Then it was, iirc, under-16s, -18s and -20s/21s with a certain number of overage players allowed in the last. Then they moved to 16s and 19s, in part because there was a feeling that a fair few lads who were never going to make it had to be retained to fill out the 20/21s. And the focus got narrower still with the CoH joint academy.
I think many of the reserves will be lads who are too old for 18s, but not yet ready for a senior contract. But with more flexibility, without an official age limit. To me that makes sense, rather than signing half a dozen extra pros who are over 24 just so we can field a team. The first team should be supplemented by a-team players, not the other way around imo.
It was also good for getting injured players back to the first team by giving them a run out to test their fitness
Joined: Jun 01 2007 Posts: 12625 Location: Leicestershire.
Someday wrote:It was also good for getting injured players back to the first team by giving them a run out to test their fitness
Absolutely. And keep match fitness up for players not on dual reg, where you don’t want to commit to a month’s loan.
On the other hand, you don’t want to be stretched to make up a competitive team, and risk first team players being injured.
It’ll be interesting to see how we use it and the partnership with Dewsbury. Where best fits the development of young players like Lewis, Rooks and Harrison when they’re not in the first team? We’re also looking for loan deals for Oakes and Wallis according to TS.
'Thus I am tormented by my curiosity and humbled by my ignorance.' from History of an Old Bramin, The New York Mirror (A Weekly Journal Devoted to Literature and the Fine Arts), February 16th 1833.
Joined: Jun 01 2007 Posts: 12625 Location: Leicestershire.
eastul105 wrote:Do tell us please frosties
Matthew Storton and Rowan Milnes is the rumour i’ve seen. Promising young players, I believe.
'Thus I am tormented by my curiosity and humbled by my ignorance.' from History of an Old Bramin, The New York Mirror (A Weekly Journal Devoted to Literature and the Fine Arts), February 16th 1833.
Joined: Jan 15 2007 Posts: 11924 Location: Secret Hill Top Lair. V.2
Feels a bit wrong signing all these from t'Steam Pigs, but at the end ofnthe day it's pro sport and business.
If there is no struggle, there is no progress. Those who profess to favor freedom, and yet depreciate agitation, are men who want crops without plowing up the ground. They want rain without thunder and lightning. They want the ocean without the awful roar of its many waters. This struggle may be a moral one; or it may be a physical one; or it may be both moral and physical; but it must be a struggle.
Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 31 guests
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot post attachments in this forum