For Brentford read Chelsea Reserves - is this the answer to lower league teams' financial problems?

Do you really think Brentford fans care about Chelsea?

As a Chelsea supporter you have proved that you are out of touch, our game is about supporting your team what ever league they are in. The independence of each club is the core of our football and the reason it is so great and has such a long history. No true fan would want thier club to be a feeder club to a Premiership giant. I am a Spurs season ticket holder by the way. We have a loan system in place and that does the job, Chelsea use it but then again because they keep buying anything that moves they would have to support 3 reserve teams, that is their problem, the rest of us use the system and it works

I think on the whole its a good idea that would work well. My main concern is when the smaller gets promoted to the Premiership - What happens then? If that promotion is allowed, there is surely a conflict of interest that would all too easily arise. If the smaller club is simply barred from entry into the Premiership, what does that do to ambition. What is the point of playing football if that is the ultimate scenario? I dont know. What I do know is that if this can be sorted, we have a workable idea.

Typical reasoning by someone talking out of their own arse....and for proof, Reading were NOT the 'lower division club' to which Sidwell went on loan initially....get your facts right, then maybe we'll listen to your ideas and proposals

I can see where you are coming from but see a few problems with that. Firstly, it would be the ruin of the FA Cup. What if Brentford were drawn to play Chelsea? Secondly, most Brentford supporters would feel that they had lost their identity. Say the answer would be that Brentford would not play their loans from Chelsea, that makes the Brentford team weaker for that game. What happens with a team like Wigan, they would most probably not be able to afford to pay 2 mil a year to another club. I think it is unworkable. It is better how it works now. Arsenal Man U Chelsea Spurs etc all send their young players to other clubs usually bigger clubs abroad which mean their players are playing in a league almost level to English Premier Div. It seems to work in Spain with Real Madrid and Barcelona, well from afar it does. But am sure teams lower in that same division would point out a few problems that come up from time to time.

Well done there for missing the point entirely and taking an example literally. It was simply an idea. The point as I saw it was a mutually beneficial way of keeping smaller clubs afloat and beyond and blooidng English youth earlier than they would be at their own club. Good idea but unfortunately many of you seem to have missed the point entirely. I'd have to argue with your point David Coker that your loan system works, there are still too few English youngsters coming through, fewer than before anyway who are worth their salt so that to me would suggest that no, it doesn't work. Look at the likes of Gerrard, Carragher & the Fergie Fledglings of Beckham, Scholes, etc. Can you honestly say the likes of Richardson or Pennant are anywhere close to as good as these guys?

I knew I would prejudice my argument if I admitted I am a Chelsea supporter but that really is irrelevant for this article. I will try and reply to comments as they are made Spiderbee – it would be up to individual clubs if they wanted the investment – I only used Brentford as an example. It may be a better option than going bust though. David – don’t spoil your argument by spouting rubbish about Chelsea having 3 reserve teams. Firstly I agree, independence is a worry but I don’t believe that 92 professional clubs is sustainable long term and it would be better than going bust or falling into the hands of property developers. Secondly you say the Spurs model is working but I don’t agree. We have too many average foreigners in our game, none of the current under 21 side are playing Champions league football and it is virtually impossible but for the most exceptional talents to bridge the gap between reserve football and the premiership. The current model does not address these problems. Jehode

Jehode – That’s just one of the problems to resolve. Many teams have never been anywhere close to the top flight and have no chance of ever doing so. Wisebee – read what I said. Do you dispute that Sidwell got his experience at Reading? So what is your answer then? John – I really don’t believe it would be a problem. A youngster playing against his “main” club would be desperate to turn them over and prove his ability against his “elders”.

Do what happens in Spain; The BIG sides can have there reserves/youth teams actualy playing in the lower leagues - why complicate it by buying another club. Just let top four/five teams field sides in Div 2 with no chance of promotion - move to Div 1/Championship if proves over succesful

Got his initial experience of League football (and from his current manager) whilst at your 'example' club Brentford. His successful season there, during which Brentford made the play-offs led to his move to Reading. I wouldn't argue that he has improved from that point but his first taste of week in, week out competative (and Leagues One and Two are a damned site more competative than the Premiership) football came at Brentford under Steve Coppell.

The principle you discuss is logical although not new. But I fail to see how this helps English football without tight regulations about which players can be loaned. What is to stop the big clubs from buying young talent from abroad and farming them out?

obviously it would make more sense to have a farmteam , provided they could have some proper competition, however why go for brentford of all places, lets pick either westham ( who are part of our youth set up anyway) or if u really want a much smaller team , less likely to win anything from a shit part of town then pick Rottenham....seems to be more appropiate...

Sounds like a good idea, especially with Brentford recieving the money.

the problem with farmteams is , that players are still being moddle coddled....i would have thought the present system where young players are being sent to lower dic clubs, like in our case plymouth or qpr, gives them a better education...not only does everygame means something in front of real fans, but they also have to compete in training with seasoned pros.... in germany the second team can compete in the leagues below the second tier of football, as long as the first team is not in teh same which is most unsatisfactory... the fans dont give a toss, ist unfair against teams who are fighting in the same league and the players dont have a real challenge..they are allowed to compete in the cup, and we have had a situation some years ago , where stuttgarts 2nd team was drawn against the first and beat them... also hertha berlins second team did actually make it to the final only to be beaten by leverkusen... would have been interesting which team had played in europe then deeleaguefirst

I support brentford fc ,not chelsea.If your idea did happen,then brentford fc would be chelsea reserves,bad idea.Now if chelsea want to let there youngsters to come and play for brentford,and terry butcher thinks they are good enough,then thats ok.Then at least they will get some experience of playing football,before they go back to play what chelsea play.

Agree that bigtime Premiership woning smaller clubs would be better allround, however, the lower league club MUST have the say in the team and not be forced to play certain players. BTW Steve Sidwell played for Brentford before Reading as did many players now plying their trade in the Premiership!!!