This is from my programme notes at the last home game regarding the Reserves:
At the end of the day, and I know this may sound a bit controversial but the Reserve side is not there to win games, that would be a bonus if we were to win the league! It is there to act as a vehicle for players to improve and get into the first team squad, and for the first team management to use as a way of getting their players match fitness. Rob and Paul have used the Reserve team for that and also offered some of the lads an opportunity to go over to Sleaford or Cranwell and train with the first team, but I would still like to see them use it a bit more.
Rob suggested that the league was too easy for them following Saturday’s 7-0 win over Grimsby Borough, but after the 3-2 defeat at Swineshead last Saturday the Reserve Management Team had a clear the air meeting at training on Tuesday night and followed it up with a constructive training session to iron out the problems they had endured during the last few weeks, so it is difficult for Glen and his coaches, Martyn Bunce and Steve Angel to be right. They either get criticised for losing a game against a decent side and not playing the way they should be playing and then get criticised for being in a league which is too easy for them, yet the good result came from a good training session held to sort the problems out ….as I said at the start of the season, sometimes running a reserve side is a very difficult job, but you just have to get on with it and take a bit of pride out of it when a player steps up to the first team. It’s still early days and probably after Christmas we will have a clearer view of where the Reserve side will be come the start of next season.
The Reserves are self funding and it will cost a few thousand pounds over the season, so support through the gate when the first team are away is vitally important. The officials cost on average £75 per game, so we have to raise at least that. Food for both sets of players, and officials after the game, team kit, training kit, tracksuits, training venue and travel all have to be paid for. If we went up to a higher league, travel expenditure would double at least, and because none of the players are paid they would have to be very dedicated to travel long distances, not only on a Saturday but also in midweek.
It would be great to see The Lincolnshire League promote themselves to attract other Reserve sides like, Spalding, Holbeach, Boston Town, Grantham Town, Retford and even Under 18 sides from teams like Lincoln City, Grimsby Town and Scunthorpe United.
So as you can see we have a dilema, players need to play as high a standard as possible but without putting any more pressure on the club financially. Without the support of Gary Naraido of Bastor Training Services, the Reserve Team would never have taken off this season. Support also from Kevin Scrupps at Pygott & Crone, Eggy James of S. James Jewellery, Boston United Supporters Association, Jeremy Elmer, Chris Cook Print and the players finding their own individual sponsors really helps to keep the the Reserves going.
One really good thing that has happened this season already is the progression of some of Steve Welsh's Youth Team players into the Reserves, this is was what has been missing for the last few years. Young 15, 16 and 17 year old players need to play mens football as early as possible and a jump from the Youth Team to the First Team was too big a jump, we now have a stepping stone to the First Team and long may it continue.
Please support the Reserves, especially when the First Team are away ....as you can see every penny is very much appreciated.
