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mike86 wrote:do Torquay have a reserve/u21 team for the youngsters/fringe players to develop and stay match fit in that stage between u18-first team. I have searched about but can only see a u18s side and nothing after that? also random question is kirtys macenzie still with torquay?

We did play in a South West Reserve Team League (we even finished top of it one year!) for a few years up until a couple of years back but that gradually fell apart as teams withdrew. It became ridiculous in the final season when we were travelling as far afield as places like Brighton, Crawley and Forest Green Rovers ... just too far to go for reserve team football.

Since then, we arrange friendlies with local sides, mainly just Plymouth and Exeter, on an ad hoc basis. In fact we have our first of these this season, this coming Tuesday at Plymouth, where we will probably field a mixture of pros who haven't seen much competitive action of late, together with a handful of the youth team to make up the numbers. So expect the likes of Seabright, Pearce, Hutchings, Thompson, Chaney, Sullivan and possibly even Bowman to feature.

http://mobile.torquayunited.com/news/ar ... 78671.aspx

As for Kirtys MacKenzie, he left us by mutual consent during the course of last season having his contract settled up early. He was diagnosed with Diabetes a few months earlier and as far as I am aware isn't currently playing for anyone.

CP Gull wrote: Since then, we arrange friendlies with local sides, mainly just Plymouth and Exeter, on an ad hoc basis. In fact we have our first of these this season, this coming Tuesday at Plymouth, where we will probably field a mixture of pros who haven't seen much competitive action of late, together with a handful of the youth team to make up the numbers. So expect the likes of Seabright, Pearce, Hutchings, Thompson, Chaney, Sullivan and possibly even Bowman to feature.

http://mobile.torquayunited.com/news/ar ... 78671.aspx

This for me has been a concern for the past two or three seasons. Where are players not regularly in the first team squad such as Thompson, Sullivan even Seabright, the new keeper, going to get match practice other than the odd ad hoc matches and probably Devon Bowl games ? Pearce, for example, hasn't played a competitive game this season (I know her was sidelined for the first couple of games). Training is okay of course, but there is nothing like competitive matches to keep players sharp or to develop. Anyone know what other clubs like, say, Exeter, Bristol Rvrs or Plymouth do, or is it general practice now not to run a 'reserve' side because of financial constraints?

thanks for the reply. I guess I just assumed all sides at conference level would have them. but what you say about the travelling is a very fair point, and friendlies must be financially better option. I guess short term loans is a option too?

With regards to the reserve team situation, I've seen a number of clubs in Non-League have players on dual registration. Not 100% sure what the ins and outs of it are, but it seems on the face of it players can be registered with two clubs, and appear for either as required. (I'll be interested to know more about how that system works, if it's not that straightforward).

Steve Tully was openly touting Truro around for that sort of relationship, but it could potentially be the ideal ticket. If you're not in the team, go and have run out for Truro. When needed, you're back with us but in the meantime you've stayed match fit and sharp.

I don't think anyone, even Premier League teams play reserve football any more, this was one of the reason's for Dyke's League 3 idea. They have a Premiership under-21s league where I think 3 over-age players are allowed per match.
Reserve team leagues simply aren't financially viable. As well as the travelling costs there is paying someone to manage them and having a quad big enough to not have to risk injury fulfilling fixtures....
Arranging reserve friendlies seems to be the way to go but perhaps another option would be some sort of under-21 invitational competition with the three professional Devon clubs, Tivvy, Truro and a couple of the other better non-league sides. Maybe enough to play one or two games a month... Could maybe call it the Devon bowl...

Are there that many games to a Devon Bowl?

Matt.

tomogull wrote: This for me has been a concern for the past two or three seasons. Where are players not regularly in the first team squad such as Thompson, Sullivan even Seabright, the new keeper, going to get match practice other than the odd ad hoc matches and probably Devon Bowl games ? Pearce, for example, hasn't played a competitive game this season (I know her was sidelined for the first couple of games). Training is okay of course, but there is nothing like competitive matches to keep players sharp or to develop. Anyone know what other clubs like, say, Exeter, Bristol Rvrs or Plymouth do, or is it general practice now not to run a 'reserve' side because of financial constraints?

As far as I know. Rovers are very much in the same boat as we are. possibly worse. I thought we had a team reformed to play reserve matches when the new regime took over. Has it now been scrapped again. Rovers scrapped thier reseverves 2 or 3 years ago and havent had one since. Not sure how that fits with having an academy. I would have thought that having some sort of reserve team was a requirement for an academy. otherwise how could you possibly bring on players and asseess their progress.

Does anyone know what the situation is with Jake Hutchings and Southend. How did his trial go etc and are they interested in him?

I saw him in Sainsburys' a few days ago so I think he's still here, not too sure though

I spoke to him at the ground the day after the trial and he said it had gone well and he had been invited back for another game which I think may be this week.