Stanley Reserves
 

Just got this from conferencefootball.co.uk
Accrington are to be expelled from their reserve league after finding themselves having to play 11 games in two weeks in order to finish the season. Accrington have struggled to raise a reserve side all season, and have used 71 players in their 20 reserve matches including manager John Coleman.

Re: Stanley Reserves
 

I thought something might happen after i heard about the reserve fixture build up. Surely it affects the teams who haven't played against the reserves in a bad way. They won't get the points they might have done or are all the points gained against the Accrington reserves for all teams void?

Re: Stanley Reserves
 

thats abit ****

Re: Stanley Reserves
 

Maybe if the reserves had a pitch then this wouldnt have happened.

Having to play reserve games on counsil pitches which are always called off (wilsons) is absolutely shocking!!

A team could always be raised its from not having a pitch. All the other reserve teams in that league play at thier own ground btw :)

Re: Stanley Reserves
 

we can't cos we hire it out to every other club. Good business in my view.

Re: Stanley Reserves
 

Not in my view it isnt. The pitch has been dreadful these last couple of months because of the amount of games there has been on it (around 80 this season i think). And it has stopped the FIRST TEAM playing the type of football they like to as often.
The team we have like to pass the ball about and get crosses in from the flanks, with the pitch being as bobbely as it is and hardly any grass on it its hard for us to do this. Thats a reason for us being more direct in our style of play at home for the last couple of months.

Although we may be getting a bit of money from hiring it, is it really worth it. The pitch becomes crap early on and it means more work to be done in the summer and more money spent on it

IMO I think we should just look after ourselves and have the first team, reserves and youth team play on it. PLUS a couple of other games for teams like Burnley Res. but not all of thier home fixtures.

Re: Stanley Reserves
 

I dont think anybody really envisaged us having this level of success this year, therefore it would not have hindered us. Great Harwood were made a friendly, neighbourly gesture that must be applauded. However I think that would be a mistake to be extended next year. Are they any nearer get into their ground?

Maybe as a club we could make a purchase of the ground next to ours. Not for the first time I have no idea of the cost invovled or whether it has been motioned previously, or whether the owners would sell.

It would go some way to alleviating parking problems at the ground, would give us our own training facilities, and allow us to host other games without compromising the current pitch. The only games that should be played on our pitch should be games where more than a thousand people are expected.

Re: Stanley Reserves
 

Unfortunatly Great Harwood town is nowhere near ready to be played on and after the FA have rejected grant applications to to up the changing rooms after the monrose fire, as well as the fire which was started in the main seating which has burnt a large hole with the looks of the pictures in the paper a while back IMHO i dont think Great Harwood town will be around for much longer! Apparently the only reason why they have been able to make a go of it this year is with the help of the gates of FCUOM.

Re: Stanley Reserves
 

If Gt Harwood were unable to continue it would be a tragedy.

They have been so helpful to Stanley reserves for many years and have always extended a warm welcome to Stanley supporters .

Their hospitality was so genuine and we enjoyed visiting them ; a great cuppa (or something stronger) plus freshly-made sandwiches were always a delight , especially on a dark, cold winter's evening.

If we can do anything to help them , we should.

Ideas ?

Re: Stanley Reserves
 

the ground at the side of ours is currently on a 25 year lease to accrington amateurs football club from the council, so we couldn't purchase that. And why would we just so every man and his dog can play on it!!!

Don't get me wrong, should anything befall great harwood town fc I would be very upset. unfortunately it appears nothing can be done, until someone buys harwoods ground and surrounding land, about setting up a lease for the ground.

Re: Stanley Reserves
 

Seen on the Clitheroe forum that they are in talks with Stanley about hosting the Pontins League reserves next season...

Re: Stanley Reserves
 

Having expressed my concern for Gt Harwood , obviously I'm even more disturbed that Accrington Stanley Reserves should have descended to such a parlous state.

Do forum members believe that a reserves side has no real part to play in the modern game where loan players can fill gaps at a moment's notice ?

Re: Stanley Reserves
 

The reserve side is an important part of any club. It's a way of encouraging future talent, testing triallists and easing back injured players. Plus it gives me something to do when the 1st team fixtures are finished.

Also, does this mean the reserves are totally finished? Or will they join another league?

Re: Stanley Reserves
 

Maybe this resignation was partly due to the fact that we'd played ineligable players in the reserve side this season? I know what the official line is, so don't bother reminding me. ;)

It's only a guess, but the Robinson fiasco has become very big news since Alty's point deduction.

Re: Stanley Reserves
 

An astute point, TM

Still on the odd tenterhook , meself.