I can see were you are coming from but I still think every team should have a reserve team the old A teams was so good my first sight of a lot of good players for rovers were first in the A team Gavin Miller was one to get him match fit when he came over

I can understand a nostalgia for it, but the game has changed a lot in the last 30 years.

A worthwhile reserve team would likely be prohibitively expensive. A cheap one wouldn't be worthwhile.

I know a lot has changed in the last 30 years but I can not see how it can be expensive the players we lend out on duel must still be paid by us and any other team that loans them out to lesser teams IE York Bradford and others so it must pay to keep in a reserve team if all teams did it they might be more players instead of players drifting away

There's a big difference between making up to 5 players available when able, and committing to fielding 17 for regular or even occasional fixtures.

To make it worthwhile, IMO, we'd need to carry an extra 10 or 12 full-time (mostly young and inexpensive, admittedly) players. Even assuming other costs would be offset by people willing to pay a small amount to watch (optimistic IMO), we're still easily looking at a 6 figure sum for wages.

Now, it's often pointed out that this could be funded by doing without one or two high-end SL players. Usually underperforming or oft-injured players are cited as examples, but who they'll be isn't known in advance, and many high-end players offer immediate and tangible benefits. And if we're worried about players drifting away cutting long-term earnings potential has a cost too.

The large majority of academy players don't step up to have long professional careers, they never could - there isn't enough room in the senior squads. For some, A Team rugby would just be delaying the inevitable and getting a start in another career. For others, I think the Championship is a better path (on dual reg or otherwise).

The main selling point of an A Team is identity, and from a fan POV that is what this is all about. But if you're also the person who'd have to fund it or a player trying to develop a career, I don't think it really stacks up.

Personally i think all SL sides should have a reserve team, add in most Championship sides it could become a Competitive league. Not just because it gives academy players a step up. And some players develop & add further skills later. But also for injured players returning, . To many players are lost to the game because we don't provide a decent step up.

This is one of the reasons that Australia are better than us, as from youth to first team. There's a logical stepping up process, and a competitive 1st & 2nd level.

As said most fans would love an A team but as someone who played at that level (50 years ago) I see that a lot has changed since those days. 1st in those times there were hundreds more players to look at, in Hull many primary & secondary had rugby teams at every age group for 10 year old up to school leaving age. That meant 20 or so lads in every year group for every position on the field playing competitive league matches through the season. On top of that when you left school there was a very competitive works league that a lot of local based firms actively supported. Add to that the living standards of the time young men & kids did not travel, car ownership was rare (for me to travel into East Hull to train twice a week to train was hard after work). Playing the game was something you did for fun any cash was a bonus you made friends, contacts who could help out with jobs (modern term is networking). As has been posted elsewhere the teams were full of local lads only the real top pro's got paid enough to travel or move out of town, the rest of us did it because that's what we were good at it (or thought we were). Now there are so many more opportunities for young men that weren't available to us. The last & most pertinent argument against A teams is pure demographics, the birth rate has been falling year on year since us baby boomers were of the right age. There are simply nowhere near the number of lads to make up enough teams to we have now.

Just out of curiosity, what line of work are you in jo work such nasty shifts (I have young kids so would be nasty for me)

That is bang on the point. As a reference I have the Rovers history book by Roger Pugh (the real thick one!!) and at the back is a list of people who have played and for how long. Players like Stu Farr, Steve Hadi (and others) were with us for 5+ years and had a handful of 1st team apps between them, that was fine when it was pay as you play, but with full time salaries it is impossible in this era.

If money were no object, then I agree it would be desirable. However, in terms of priorities I'd put it behind investing in the grassroots of the game and making another modest increase in the SL salary cap widely affordable.

In terms of Australia, I agree they have a more rational system for youth development than we do. But their current reserve grade was born through mergers and small clubs becoming feeder clubs to the NRL sides, as I understand it. I'm not advocating that, and I want York to remain independent - but surely this is a small step in the direction the Aussies went some time ago.

I agree. We need to put more money into grassroots level. Over here it's the penine league, and there are regular stories off teams failing to get players etc. The point I made about reserve sides is in an ideal world. Which we not at.

Some Australian reserve teams is through mergers, (St George, West Tigers etc). Alot aren't. As I understand it, alot of teams in the area are affiliated to a NRL team (ie North Queensland townships are affiliated to Brisbane). So they tend to have more than 1 team.
I agree really wouldn't want it like that in this league. Each team should be independent. Some of the problem is I really don't agree with the duel registration idea. I have no problem with loans etc, but disagree with a week to week bases idea.

I work in a local hotel. Christmas dosn't me that much. My dad lives in north Lancashire. And my mum died 2 years ago next Feb. So it's probably for the best I do work it.

Got my ticket for the Leeds game.



Also been looking at some York fixtures to get to. Didn't realise they also had Connor Robinson and Andy Ellis as well. If they had 4 duel registration players as well, could be 10 ex/current Rovers players on the pitch.

Anyone know where any other ex Rovers players are (preferably younger players), as I like to see how they doing. Know Hallett's at Batley. Guzdek's at Dewsbury (he's one I really thought could have made it). Ollet's at Newcastle I think?

Yeah, Ollet's going to Newcastle for 2018, having been at Keighley and Dewsbury these last 2 years.

He wasn't far off, playing 20+ games for us. I remember Sandra being disappointed when he left - but Donaldson was better and Lawler was showing more potential, I guess.

On a similar note, matty beharrel has played for Swinton and Keighley in 2016 and 2017, and Sonny Esslemont played a handful of games for the Cougars in '16.

Talking of all of these ex players playing in the lower divisions it shows the club were right to release them even if us as fans at the time don't think it's the right decision

But some of that's down to not being given a chance at SL. As well as some players not being good enough.

Personally liked Ollett & Guzdek (who's been doing very well), and think they could have made it. The others put in a few good games but lacked consistency. James Green was in that mould, and am suprised Cas signed him. After all wasn't really tearing up trees at Leigh. Never saw Robinson play, though heard very good things about him.

I disagree if the players were good enough they'd be playing SL regardless whether it was with us granted some may develop later but you don't always have time to allow that unfortunately

It's a product of where we are. Not comfortable enough in the league to give them a run.
To be fair I like Oakes, think Lawler will be one hell of a player when he played in his proper position (sr/LF for me). And Sheens is bringing in quite a few younger players. Who we'll hopefully keep for a while.
And like I said Guzdek & Ollett were the 2 I was most disappointed to see leave.

I don't think there's ever such a thing as comfortable though, certainly no more than a couple of dead rubbers at the end of the season. And results mattering is a key attraction for top flight sport. When you're struggling you need wins to get away from the foot of the table, higher up you're fighting to get into or remain in contention. The first team is where you should play when you've developed, not where you become ready, IMO. It can be a bit catch-22, I admit.

Over 10 years of SL our player development didn't really deliver, I think it has to be admitted. With the odd exception. The criticism started laughably early, but tbh we seemed to go backwards over time in this area. Hopefully the current/next crop fare better than the last 2 or 3, and the CoHA works out well.

I'd say there's only Wigan and Leeds who bring players through in numbers from there academy's

Just like to wish everyone seasons greetings. And a happy new year

Bit more on former Rovers players.

Alex Brown (liked him when he played for us. Useless in defence but a quality finnisher), has signed for Bradford for next year. Scott Wheeldon, Keal Carlisle & Frankie Mariano are all at Featherstone. Josh Guzdek & Macauley Hallett are both at Dewsbury. Chris Heil & Sonny Esslemont are both at Hemel. And Omari Caro is now at London Skolars.

Got to say other than Guzdek, it's not hard to see why the club got rid of these players.

Bit off topic but is there an official club shop still in hull city Centre and is it open weekends? Cheers.

Yes. It's on Saville street. On the left if walking along from the maritime museum, just past the FC shop.

Not sure if open weekends. But would presume that it would be open at least on Saturdays.

Cheers.