On 5th December 2007, Sheffield United made the short trip across town for the first Steel City Derby of the season. In a stadium which has hosted cup finals with an attendance of almost 40,000 people, 200 people turned up and were not left disappointed. The game itself provided 4 goals, an altercation between the players and a sending off. The Sheffield United coach described the outcome as a deserved result after a committed performance in a tense match. Sheffield United ran out 4-0 winners after goals by home town boy Billy Sharp, Rob Hulse (2) and Lee Hendrie.
Just over a month later, 19th January The Blades made the same trip across town to face Sheffield Wednesday again. It was talked about for weeks, the red and blue coloured the city, and 30,000 fans packed into the stadium. The game failed to replicate the occasion (although a Sheffield Wednesday fan may disagree) and a dull affair was edged 2-0 by the blue half of the city. This performance by Sheffield United was described as flat and lacking passion.
The difference between the two occasions was that the first meeting was in fact a reserve team game staged at 2 p.m. The line-ups included a number of players which would play in the first team fixture in late January and even perhaps some people who will play in future derbies who many people will be totally unaware of at the moment. Reserve team football is currently seen as just a way of getting the youth players some quality experience, whilst at the same time allowing first team players to regain fitness.
Reserve team games are usually cheap to attend and many clubs allow their season ticket holders in for free. Looking around you are likely to see, the odd scout trying to blend into the terraces (due to reserve games usually being held in smaller grounds) a handful of dedicated fans or local people who have the opportunity to see the big names crossed with the stars of tomorrow. Manchester United are the only team who have success that almost parallels that of the first team. Since it was founded in 1999, the Red Devils have won the Reserve North division on three occasions. This season they currently lie 6th in the table, in a disappointing term for Brian McClair’s men. This season has seen an emphasis on youth with players such as Danny Simpson, Febian Brandy & David Gray being the highlights of the season. These could very well be future Premiership winners, with Simpson already being looked at as a long term successor to Gary Neville.
Newcastle United, whilst they are less successful at Reserve level have decided to field players such as Joey Barton, Shola Ameobi & Emre this season, who are all first team regulars when they are fit and available.
So, at a time when the managers of the big four are calling for reserve teams to be allowed to play in the lower regions of the football league, the Premier Reserve League, and Pontins Holiday leagues have never needed the support so much. So for just a few pounds unlike the excessive amounts wanted for the first team you could be watching the next Steven Gerrard or even the actual Steven Gerrard.
Ben Shepherd
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