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It seems that most professional clubs are turning their backs on entering teams into an official league and as a result we are no longer in the Wales and West division but the Southern section made up as follows:

AFC Bournemouth
Brighton & Hove Albion
Cheltenham Town
Crawley Town
Forest Green Rovers
Torquay United

It appears that the likes of Swindon have withdrawn from the League and Plymouth (for obvious reasons), a bit surprised that Exeter don't appear to be entering a side either!

I did see the other day that Peterborough were withdrawing from their reserve league.
I can see the benefits from a financial point of view. I guess any fringe players too old for the youth leagues will be sent out on loan but how are they going to keep the squad players match fit?

And how is it going to work with 6 teams? Play each other 4 or 5 or more times? I guess if we draw Brighton in a cup we will be well aware of how they play!

The little big man (Shaun North), the reserves team manager did well last season.

The big arrogant little man who took and takes all the credit is nothing without the little big man who goes about his work quietly and efficiently.

It's because it's rubbish. Reading pulled out of it the other year because they didn't want to waste their time playing FGR Reserves or Crawley reserves and continueing to smash them 7's and 8's. Easier to arrange friendlies against similar standard opposition than play in a reserve league featuring reserve sides from 2/3 divisions lower. I'd imagine most Championship clubs have done the same for similar reasons.

royalgull wrote:It's because it's rubbish. Reading pulled out of it the other year because they didn't want to waste their time playing FGR Reserves or Crawley reserves and continueing to smash them 7's and 8's. .

Blimey, where can we sign up for the 'smashing Crawley reserves' part? That'd be ace!

I'd say the league element is important for the reserves, as is the St. Luke's Bowl. It makes games more important and competitive, giving the reserves a better taste of what it would be like in a more pressurised first team game.