As you may be aware this season saw the inception of the U-21 Premier League, replacing the worn and out of date reserve league system. The very nature of the league promotes youth development in a way the reserve league of old simply couldn’t do. The move has secured a raised profile for the Premier League’s second league and the standard of matches have evidently raised.
The league rewards younger players with meaningful competitive matches to develop their abilities once being promoted from the club’s academy. Not all graduates can expect to walk into the first team and as such this league ensures players no longer need to suffer a season on the bench or being loaned out to a lower division side for the lure of competitive matches. The system also allows three over-age players meaning those returning from injury can be provided with a respectable test of their fitness levels.
The structure of the league also demands huge respect. Ticket prices have been introduced at a low level. Season ticket holders and members to Manchester United can watch U-21 matches for free, while paying adults only need to stump up a paltry £5 and £2 for concessions to watch a strong team that has recently included Anders Lindegaard, Jonny Evans, Darren Fletcher and United stars stars in the making Nick Powell and Alexander Buttner.
In future years the possibility of live television games could arise to further enhance club revenues, especially crucial in a week that has seen club chairmen locked in talks over potential Premier League financial fair play sanctions and salary caps. For now though why not watch the unique broadcasting style of ESPN’s PressPass, particularly for the counter opinion of Shaka Hislop.
Tomos Llewellyn
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