Clarke worried by feeder club idea

Clarke worried by feeder club idea

Clarke worried by feeder club idea

Football League chairman Greg Clarke is concerned a move to set up feeder clubs for Premier League teams may hijack the Football Association's commission which is being set up to find ways to improve the England team.

The idea of the top clubs having feeder sides or even 'B teams' in the lower leagues has emerged this week, with the plan seemingly being to take it to the commission being set up by FA chairman Greg Dyke.

Clarke is concerned the plan has been mooted before the commission has even met, and has warned against the commission's work being damaged by self-interest from English football's different groups.

He told Press Association Sport: "The Football League is not keen to have feeder clubs. If you look at leagues which do have them, you tend not to get good attendances.

"We don't like the idea of it and I don't believe it would solve the problem - but we will look at it as nothing is off the table.

"But if there is a proposal it should be put forward as part of the process and be dealt with by the commission.

"Let's not hijack Greg Dyke's process, let's get all the ideas on the table without everyone having personal agendas and having the process degenerate into being parochial, (and characterised by) tribalism and faction fighting.

"That's how we got into this mess in the first place."

He added: "We have to put parochial self-interest aside and do the right thing for English football and its fans, and forge a way ahead together."

The system of feeder clubs is common on the continent - for example Barcelona B play in the second tier of Spanish football but cannot be promoted. Those responsible for youth development at Premier League clubs believe more formal relationships with lower league sides would help the development of players aged 17 to 21.



Source : http://www.football.co.uk/fa/clarke_worried_by_feeder_club_idea_rss4414622.shtml