Put Super League reserve teams in League One, suggests club chairman
Barrow chairman Steven Neale says dual-registration should be scrapped and Super League teams should consider putting their reserve teams in League One.
Despite apparent positive talks on the reserves league last season, the sport remains without an organised competition, which resulted in St Helens and Wigan ditching their reserve sides out of frustration at the shortage of opposition.
To their credit, the likes of Hull, Wakefield, Halifax and even Keighley have kept running reserves outfits, though clearly the situation is far from ideal.
Since the reserve grade was abolished, the dual-registration system has been in place to give top flight club’s the chance to give their youngsters game time in the lower leagues.
Writing in his latest column in the North West Evening Mail, Neale said: “Nearly everyone I talk to is against dual-registration, even those clubs who take advantage, and I hope it is ended soon.
“You are on your way to becoming a feeder team if you rely on dual registration.
“If the Super League doesn’t set up a reserve league, why not put their B-teams in League One?
“It works in Spanish football and the teams with aspirations to progress to Super League can concentrate on building their clubs, setting up a junior production line and growing the sport.”
How the system works in Spanish football is the likes of Barcelona B and Real Madrid B have to play at least one level below their main side, and so are ineligible for promotion to the top league, and they don’t participate in cup competitions.
