Whatever happened to Burnley reserves?

[Mala591]

I think the 'old fashioned' setup of first team, reserves and youth team was a much better system of developing players and helped produce more balanced teams with a mixture of youth and experience. The most skillful and mature youth team players would soon progress to the reserves and possibly the first team (remember the 1968 youth team?).

The current setup of having a first team, five or so players on the bench and a development squad doesn't seem to work as well.

Why were the reserve leagues abolished and should there be a campaign to bring them back?

[South West Claret.]

I think the 'old fashioned' setup of first team, reserves and youth team was a much better system of developing players and helped produce more balanced teams with a mixture of youth and experience. The most skillful and mature youth team players would soon progress to the reserves and possibly the first team (remember the 1968 youth team?).

The current setup of having a first team, five or so players on the bench and a development squad doesn't seem to work as well.

Why were the reserve leagues abolished and should there be a campaign to bring them back?

Good question maybe someone can fill us in.

[cricketfieldclarets]

The best thing about the reserves days was being able to go on and watch. See some of the fringe and youth players. Would be great to do that these days but restricted to the odd Youth Cup game.

[Silkyskills1]

Used to love going to reserve games in the 60's. All four sides of the ground were open and a virtual guarantee of great football and goals. Four buses to get there and back from Haslingden in all types of weather but retain very fond memories of those days.

[andyh]

My memories are from the late 70s early 80s. Only the Bob Lord stand open. Often sat next to Mike Phelan's dad. I remember him have a real go at the club for not forking out for his son's new boots. He was just on the periphery of the 1st team at the time.

Times have changed.

[ClaretTony]

The leagues haven't been abolished and the Central League, which we always played in, is still running. We've just opted not to play in it. If we had decided to continue we'd have been in a league with Bradford City, Burton, Morecambe, Port Vale, Walsall and Wrexham.

Next season, however, we will be in a competitive league again, the Professional Development League. That league currently includes Barnsley, Birmingham, Bolton, Crewe, Huddersfield, Hull, Leeds, Nottingham Forest, Sheffield United and Sheffield Wednesday.

[Woodleyclaret]

I remember Keith Newton playing for Everton reserves at the Turf. Fans asked him if he was signing for us as clearly out of favour at Everton.A week later he signed and had some great times at Burnley.
The Central then the Pontins League were good reserve leagues.I assume lack of a sponsor caused the decline.
I agree development games don't work as there are not enough.

[Quicknick]

I used to love reserve games at the Turf in the 60s and 70s. Real quality football.

[KeighleyClaret]

One problem was the large bench of 7 subs that could be named for the first team. That took most of the reserve squad. Previously the first team was 11 starters and just 1 named reserve.

[ClaretTony]

I remember Keith Newton playing for Everton reserves at the Turf. Fans asked him if he was signing for us as clearly out of favour at Everton.A week later he signed and had some great times at Burnley.
The Central then the Pontins League were good reserve leagues.I assume lack of a sponsor caused the decline.
I agree development games don't work as there are not enough.

That's not true about Keith Newton because he signed for us in June 1972. Doubt there were any reserve games played in the summer.

[Steve-Harpers-perm]

I remember going in the 90's to watch a reserve game as some Swedish striker (Marcus Flodstrom!?) was meant to be playing after being on trial! He didn't get international clearance! The dream died!!

[ClaretTony]

I remember going in the 90's to watch a reserve game as some Swedish striker (Marcus Flodstrom!?) was meant to be playing after being on trial! He didn't get international clearance! The dream died!!

Flodstrom played in that reserve game (not sure on the Marcus though). Played alongside John Mullin up front and looked decent.

Edit: Found him via google - was Matthias Flodström.

[Steve-Harpers-perm]

Maybe he was due to play in another one. Quite exciting having a foreign striker on trial in those days!!

[HollandsPies]

My Dad used to take me on in the mid to late 70s. He used to get free tickets because he used to collect Bob Bradshaw's lad down Bradley way.

Correct me if I am wrong, but didn't the reserves play the opposing teams reserves when the first team were away?

[Mala591]

Yes. Robinson, Pope, Tarkowski, Flanagan, Darikwa, Vokes, Westwood plus the best of the development squad need to be playing tough competitive matches week in week out.

Maybe we should also limit first team subs to a maximum of three players.

Seems common sense to me but what do I know...

[conyoviejo]

I can remember the days when the Reserve games attracted over 10,000 spectators in the 50s/60s..

[Dressinggown]

Reserve games in the early 90's regularly got over 1,500 in the Bob Lord Stand.

Didn't we get about 9,000 on for a Youth Cup game v B*ackburn in the last decade ?

[Silkyskills1]

I can remember the days when the Reserve games attracted over 10,000 spectators in the 50s/60s..

Think the record reserve attendance was either 10,000 plus or maybe even 12,000 plus v Wolves,I think. I'm sure I went to the game but was just a young schoolboy at the time. Anyone got the correct figure and year?