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'B' teams idea advanced again

The idea of Premier League clubs having 'B' teams in the Football League is deeply unpopular with most fans, but it keeps being revived, this time by the chief executive of the City Football Group which includes Manchester City: Larger clubs would benefit

He says that younger players would benefit from playing in a B team although, more significantly, points out there would be a financial incentive. We did, of course, once have something called the 'reserves' but the 'stiffs' were not popular either with players or fans. Only the really dedicated, or perhaps the really sad, turned out for their games.

'B' teams are permitted in Spain, although they have different names from the club. Real Madrid's 'B' team is called Castilla and they even reached the Copa del Ray final and got into European competition: Castilla

So Arsenal could have a second team called Islington Borough and Manchester United could have one called Salford City. Oh, wait a minute.

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