I really don't think that this is going to happen, the vote was simply to hear the proposal and that just smacks of Football League chairmen seeking to appease the PL chiefs temporarily.
This would cheapen the trophy, which may mean a lot to the other clubs since they have a genuine chance of winning silverware (as fun as participating in the FA Cup or Capital One Cup may be, 9 times out of 10 it's going to be won by a Premier League team so nobody's really expecting to get anything out of it at the end). I'm not necessarily against a B team idea depending on how it would work, but it shouldn't happen at the expense of lower league teams - Premier League B teams should not somehow be considered more worthy just because of their name (not referring just to this suggestion). From my opinion - and I've admitted I'm not the greatest football brain ever - these ideas that are all geared at improving the English team supposedly are flawed in the first place, because the England team will not improve until we stop just selecting players that look good/have a decent run of form without any thought to how they play, and then playing players with a mish mash of conflicting styles all in the same team. The players then don't look as good for England as they aren't allowed to play to their strengths, and somehow this is surprising...
Some great points on the B team and the future of the game. I played Hockey and the league structure is littered with A, B, C, D, E, F, G teams of various clubs. There are practical reasons for Hockey to go down that route (facilities, finances, active players), but it's a good method for player development. I started playing Mens hockey at 16 and entered at a level the club thought matched my ability which was the C team. It was definitely a great learning curve as a young player up against senior players & sides, but the major benefit was playing with older/more experienced players whose careers were on the downward curve and no longer had the legs to play for the A/B teams. They could give you instant coaching and guidance on the pitch even if that guidance did involve some f words when I wasn't tracking back. Providing clubs B teams join at the bottom of the pyramid then I see no reason why it technically shouldn't happen. However I just don't see it being any better than a well structured reserve league
11 player team sport with a ball It's just another example along with other European football leagues of B sides being integrated within a league structure and the benefits of that system for younger players. But as you allude too, Hockey is an amateur sport with the only crowd being the two teams waiting to use the pitch after you. When you add a paying public and the sparkle a passionate support can add to our beautiful game then that's when the idea becomes flawed.
Southend fans made their view on it heard yesterday - not that it'll make much difference, depressingly. please log in to view this image please log in to view this image
That ginger lad on the right "You want some?" Interesting demographic in that photograph, but I like that about modern football and the way home supporters naturally separate themselves to be with their peers and like minded fans.
You are the very person to get their message around DTLW. I think it would take a bare minimum of survey to find out that the vast majority of lower league fans would rather NOT have B teams entering their competition. Perhaps the subject of an article..? Could be a mission there.
