Stafford finalise reserve plan

Stafford Rangers have confirmed they will be fielding a reserve team for the 2008/09 season - at no cost to the club thanks to a mystery backer.

The club are in the process of approaching the Football Association to establish what league they will be allowed to enter. The prospect of a regional reserve league if they are unable to enter a FA-recognised league has also been discussed.

That would encompass the likes of Halesowen, Hednesford and AFC Telford fielding a side in a regional mini-league, giving all teams involved the chance to blood players in matches of a competitive nature.

But the club's first choice is a recongised reserve league and, with a 'substantial' mystery sponsor who has chosen to remain anonymous, there will be no financial burden on what could prove to be a real asset to the club.

Manager Steve Bull said: "I have been anxious to get a reserve team in place for some time. It gives us the opportunity to test players on a competitive platform.

"There is no substitute for playing matches. It gives young players game time and fringe players the chance to show me what they can do.

"Its part of the professional set up we are trying to put into place at Stafford Rangers. In time, we will see the benefits."

Stafford are hoping that a reserve side will be the first of many new club-endorsed teams the club will be able to field when plans are firmly in place, ranging from Under 7 teams right up to the reserve side.

For the 60,000 plus people that live in the town alone, the children and young people of Stafford will have the chance to showcase their footballing skills in the right setting.

Chairman Jon Downing added: "Myself and the board are fully behind this plan.

"If we can unearth some footballing gems in the future that are from the town and be of service to the community in unison, that could only be good for the town and for Stafford Rangers."