Reserve Side News

[Darlo_Rob]

Apparently Murton and Seaham Reserves won the vote tonight. Looks like we missed out by one vote. I assume Seaham will use much of this years excellent under 18 squad, which will be similar to ourselves Just surmising but Seahams facilities and pitch are much better than Eastbourne, which might have edged it.

No automatic promotion or relegation between the two leagues might be a problem, if our reserves want to progress.

[Neil Johnson]

Bad news - could be playing youth opposition, rather than experienced adults.

Reserves may need some extra friendly games against senior & higher level teams to compensate for the set-back.

[Darlogramps]

Had a feeling this would happen.

Old boys network sticks together. Amazing how the two nearest sides to Sunderland (where most of the league management committee are based) are the ones who get in.

Plus Seaham and Murton are shorter trips for the sides around Wearside (I.E. reduced travelling costs). At an educated guess, the Teesside and North Yorkshire sides will have supported us. Sides from Wearside/North and East Durham and further afield will have gone with the other two.

Disappointing as now the reserves are stuck in a poor quality development league.


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[Neil Johnson]

I suppose the Wearside League just wanted a level playing field. It wouldn't be fair for some of their teams to face a very strong reserve team and others to face the kids.

The first team's demands from the reserves will vary during a season.

If there is no promotion on merit I suppose this junior league may only be used for the youth squad.

The higher Darlo first team go there may be more options for competitive reserve games.

[quakersam]

Reports are suggesting that Durham FA are now rejecting Reserve Teams from the new Development Division...so the reserves currently have no league to play in

[Bogratsteve]

Any space in the Northern League? Be nice to win that again lol

[MikeinBlack2]

They'll get several games in the Durham Trophy thing and the Doodson Cup bollocks lol

[lo36789]

How good/bad is the Teesside League nowadays? Division 1 is supply league the same as the Wearside isn't it?

Just checked and it must have had a fall from grace doesn't appear as a Step 7 league which I thought it was. I know leagues can be booted from the national league system for poor grounds etc.

Northern Alliance is the same level as the Wearside but must admit I don't know an awful lot about it. Does appear to be a gap for a 'Durham/Teesside' league at step 7.

[Neil Johnson]

We should find out who other local club reserves play.

e.g. Durham, Blyth, Gateshead, Bishop.....

ANY INFO?

Some sort of round-robin arrangement could be set up, which includes Spennymoor, if they are unhappy with the Wearside set-up.

There are other options available for playing League development teams.

This may be better for players and fans than playing in a pubs and social clubs league.

[Neil Johnson]

If the Durham FA leagues get shirty, there's always Yorkshire.

[Neil Johnson]

If the Durham FA leagues get shirty, there's always Yorkshire.

[quakersam]

We should find out who other local club reserves play.

e.g. Durham, Blyth, Gateshead, Bishop.....

ANY INFO?

Some sort of round-robin arrangement could be set up, which includes Spennymoor, if they are unhappy with the Wearside set-up.

There are other options available for playing League development teams.

This may be better for players and fans than playing in a pubs and social clubs league.

Durham City - Reserves in Durham Alliance
Blyth - No reserves
Gateshead - Reserves play in Football League Development Division
Bishop Auckland - Reserves play in Durham Alliance

[Neil Johnson]

The Durham Alliance is a feeder league for the Wearside League, just like the Teesside League. It contains a mixture of first teams and reserve teams.

If the Wearside League wants an extra "development" division then it may take a mixture of teams currently playing in the two feeder leagues, or just make a reserves league with no promotion.

A low standard reserve teams only league, especially with no promotion may not be competitive enough for our players.

A REGULAR series of invitational games may be far more attractive for players and fans alike, bearing in mind there are also Durham Senior Cup, Doodsons Cup & Youth Cup games to be fitted in. Opposition could come from a large area between York to Blyth.

Darlo need a reserve team, but also need decent opposition.

[quakersam]

Update

The Durham Alliance League has now folded. Durham FA have created a new league that will be known as the Durham Alliance Combination League with teams from the Alliance and those that applied for the development league. So our reserve team will be competing in this league from the start of the season coming.

The league is to be made up of 22 teams with everyone playing each other once.
The league will then split into two, with a top 11 and bottom 11, playing a further ten games.
The top of Division 1 will have the opportunity to be promoted to the Wearside.
It is thought that from the 2nd season there will be 2 divisions, 11 in each

The 22 teams invited are...

Coundon, Shildon Reserves, Wheatley Hill, Redcar Town, University of Sunderland, Hendon, Durham City Reserves, Darlington 1883 Reserves. Hartlepool FC reserves. Bishop Auckland Reserves, Consett Reserves, Brandon Reserves, Ebchester, Birtley FC, Sherburn, Willington Reserves, Washington AFC, CLS Whitehills, Hall Farm, Whitburn Village, Killingworth, Wallsend

[Sidarlo]

where did you find this sam ?

Great news though, really great, so many advantages of having a second team with competitive games whatever the level

[ArmchairDiehard]

Agree - makes the games feel that bit more competitive too.

[super_les_mcjannet]

where did you find this sam ?

Great news though, really great, so many advantages of having a second team with competitive games whatever the level

It's on NLZ under the Wearside section, the guys writing about it seem to normally be sensibe so seems to be true.

[Darlogramps]

Having a division to play in is better than not having one, but the quality of the division won't be great.

Bearing in mind the reserve team could beat lower level step 4 sides, playing sides like Sunderland Uni is a bit of a disappointment.

But as I said, it's better than nothing.

[Spyman]

Having a division to play in is better than not having one, but the quality of the division won't be great.

Bearing in mind the reserve team could beat lower level step 4 sides, playing sides like Sunderland Uni is a bit of a disappointment.

But as I said, it's better than nothing.

On the flip-side, we have 'Artlepools reserves, which should be a great test.

[divas]

Having a division to play in is better than not having one, but the quality of the division won't be great.

Bearing in mind the reserve team could beat lower level step 4 sides, playing sides like Sunderland Uni is a bit of a disappointment.

But as I said, it's better than nothing.

On the flip-side, we have 'Artlepools reserves, which should be a great test.

Unfortunately it's not Hartlepool United. But Hartlepool FC of the Wearside league.

[quakersam]

Agreed the standard won't be the best but it's something for next season. That said if we do manage to win the league we could progress into the Wearside, but that's as far as any reserve team can go as the NL don't accept reserve sides.

[MikeinBlack2]

Don't forget that most likely the Reserve team will play our Durham Cup and Doodson Cup matches, so there's a possibility of stiffer competition there.

[Darlogramps]

Agreed the standard won't be the best but it's something for next season. That said if we do manage to win the league we could progress into the Wearside, but that's as far as any reserve team can go as the NL don't accept reserve sides.

The promotion from the proposed new league also confuses me.

If the Wearside League has to vote sides in, then surely the only way any side in the new DACL could go up is if a WL side folds. In other words, even if the reserve side won the DACL, there's no guarantee it would go up.

Either that or the WL changes its constitution to allow automatic promotion/relegation, but I doubt that would ever happen.

I'd imagine everything will become clearer in time.

[Spyman]

Having a division to play in is better than not having one, but the quality of the division won't be great.

Bearing in mind the reserve team could beat lower level step 4 sides, playing sides like Sunderland Uni is a bit of a disappointment.

But as I said, it's better than nothing.

On the flip-side, we have 'Artlepools reserves, which should be a great test.

Unfortunately it's not Hartlepool United. But Hartlepool FC of the Wearside league.

Oh - that's a shame

[Darlo_Pete]

It's better than nothing, but the Wearside League would have been so much better. Good luck to the lads.

[Neil Johnson]

Definitely better than nothing and good news for the club.

It'll be competitive in terms of the opposition trying, so something can be gained in terms of match fitness and familiarisation of the players with each other.

Having a reserve team means that kids can learn from playing with experienced players, team-play can be practised and side-lined players can play themselves back into contention.

[Spyman]

Definitely better than nothing and good news for the club.

It'll be competitive in terms of the opposition trying, so something can be gained in terms of match fitness and familiarisation of the players with each other.

Having a reserve team means that kids can learn from playing with experienced players, team-play can be practised and side-lined players can play themselves back into contention.

As long as there isn't such a gulf in quality that our reserves become an opportunity for the opposition to give them a little kick and nothing else.

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[Neil Johnson]

Definitely better than nothing and good news for the club.

It'll be competitive in terms of the opposition trying, so something can be gained in terms of match fitness and familiarisation of the players with each other.

Having a reserve team means that kids can learn from playing with experienced players, team-play can be practised and side-lined players can play themselves back into contention.

As long as there isn't such a gulf in quality that our reserves become an opportunity for the opposition to give them a little kick and nothing else.

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The Durham "Senior" Cup was an opportunity to kick the Darlo kids out of the games to reach the next round, but the new league situation should be less aggressive, especially with some adults playing for Darlo.

If the only opportunity for promotion is the Wearside League it may be a waste of time for a reserves team to be applying. Better reserve leagues should be available with a promotion or two.

[Darlo_Pete]

We can always resign from the league we are in, if a better league becomes available.

[Darlo_Rob]

What league do you think would become available now? There's not many options round here. Saturday football has been in decline for years, the new league that has been set up is trying to make sure more teams don't fold. Part of the problem is the lack of promotion to the wearside league, hopefully Durham FA can except a bit of pressure.