Reserve football

I hate the under 18s and u23s format and I wish that we could bring back the old reserve team football where upcoming players got to mix it with established players that were usually returning from injury or needing fitness.

I think that the reserve team system went on to help players like Eaden, Moses, Watson, Morgan, Parkin, Liddell etc to have a successful career.

For those that went to watch the old reserve games at oakwell who was the best player, biggest name or worst established pro that you saw?

 

Couldn't agree more.

 

I remember Bryan Robson turning out for Man Utd reserves at Oakwell also Robbie Fowler for Liverpool both had come back from lengthy injuries.

 

Probably Chris Waddle. Early 90's just coming back from injury and turning out for Wensdeh.

Rolls Royce of a player even at 80% fitness

 

As much as I hate Wednesday, Chris Waddle has to be one of my favourite players of all time.

How and why Graham Taylor got away with not picking Waddle and Beardsley for England beats me!

 

On the home front we had a player who I was convinced would make the big time.He was quick,scored goals,had a really aggressive streak and I've seen him go nose to nose with seasoned pros and opposition coaches alike.Match days he used to dye streaks into his hair to make his boots.A really really talented lad and alas he didn't make it as a pro.His name is Nathen Jarman. As an aside off the pitch he was the most humble polite young man.

 

He was a very talented kid Bill, I remember at around the same time we had young Barraclough, Michael Coulson and Rory Fallon so there were a few other prospects around that time

 

I saw Phil Gridelet in the reds reserves. Does that count?

 

David read his Wiki page it makes interesting reading about his career.

 

Used to go to most If not all reserve games. I think it was under Machin where he brought a load of new players into the first team and the others played in the central league. Was better watching the reserves football wise.

 

I'm a little confused. I thought it disbanded many moons ago. Apparantly still going.
https://uk.soccerway.com/national/england/central-league/20242025/regular-season/r84294/
Would make sense to have a team in it for me.

 

I firmly believe Jalo would have been a regular in our first team at least six months ago if he'd been exposed to playing full time pros in a reserve league rather than an endless diet of youth football.
Same with the other youngsters. They're not getting a chance until they're 19, 20 and then have to start getting used to the physicality they should have been confronted with much earlier.

 

Been to a few away games over the years watching the reserves.Bradford,Preston,West Brom to name a few.
The game at WBA was down to be played at Halesowens ground 7pm kickoff .We got got there at ten to 7 to a pitch black ground and area.The bloke in the club house said its been moved back to the Hawthorns.So we sets off got to the ground and couldn't find anyone to let us in.Eventually on the stroke of half time we told this steward our story and he took us into the ground straight to the directors box.Into the boardroom at half time for a drink and nibbles.Back into the box where we watched the most boring half of football.All that time all that effort,guess the score ? correct 0-0.Ask Ged about it next time you see him.The joys of been a football fan.

 

The game at Deepdale saw us with an Italian trialist in the team.We lost 2-0 and the Italian was sent off never to be seen again.
The most impressive player was a lad playing at left back for Preston he was superb and really stood out.Very direct with terrific pace and fantastic crossing ability.A few days after I was chatting with Colin Walker and I told him about the Preston left back.Colin said we've had him watched but hes not good enough.The player was Kevin Kilbaine who less than a year later signed for WBA in a deal well over a million pounds then moving on to Everton for mega bucks.
What do I know though I'm only a fan.

 

Pretty sure I saw Jan Molby play in the reserves for us when he first signed.

 

I remember going down to watch when David Hirst t was making a name for himself in reserves, one of games we played was against Liverpool reserves.....they had several Internationals in team if I recall correctly, I am sure Phil Neal played at full back but can’t remember rest..... am getting old lol!

 

Hirst

 

A few of us went to watch a game against Liverpool reserves in the mid 80s?, hoping to see one or two of their stars. In the 2nd half of the game the Barnsley sub came on, there was a sound of anticipation from the regular reserve watchers, the young player really stood out for the rest of the game, not overawed by the opposition at all, it was our first glimpse of David Hirst who not long after progressed to our 1st team and looked a cut above everyone until he was transferred to a team whose name escapes me..

 

Went to that Liverpool one where Robbie Fowler was making his comeback, he scored 4 goals.

 

Jim Montgomery of 1973 FA Cup final fame once turned up with Birmingham reserves. Me and mate snuck behind the goals for both halves and took the mick. We were 14 ish at the time.
End of the game he thanked us and commented it's "the best reserve game I've played" lol