Reserves move rescues neighbours

Spartan South Midlands League outfit London Tigers have agreed a one year groundshare deal after travellers left their Avenue Park home near the A40 damaged beyond repair for the early months of next season.

The EVO-STIK League South East club's officials were able to ride to the rescue after pulling their reserves out of the Suburban League. Travel costs had been an issue and Northwood chairman has told fans that they hoping to enter a reformed second string into a mooted Middlesex-based reserve league.

New Woods manager Simon Lane, appointed as the successor to Mark Burgess at the Northwood Park Stadium, pictured, in May, is also happy to run without the back-up of a reserve side for a season while making the most of the rules on dual-registration.

Barry said: “We have been looking at alternatives to the Suburban League for our reserves for a few years now, as travelling was becoming increasingly less local and we are very interested in joining a more local competition.

"To that end we have been watching with interest the development of talks regarding a new U21 or U23 midweek league that has been proposed by Middlesex clubs and is being pushed by neighbours from Hendon and Wealdstone. However, that league won’t be up and running for another year which left us with a bit of a dilemma.

“Whilst we are committed to developing our own youth players in the best way, our select group of youngsters, despite having experienced the tough level of the Ryman Youth League already, are still a couple of years away from senior football as far as age is concerned. So, it seems reasonable to take just one year off from running the reserves and then re-introducing it at a development level once the new league is up and running.

“We were then approached by London Tigers, who find themselves without a ground this season, so we decided that we could accommodate them in a way that benefits both clubs. Therefore, we welcome everyone connected with London Tigers Football Club and hope we can enjoy a warm, amicable season together here at Northwood Park.”

Former Wingate & Finchley director of football and UEFA A coach Lane kicked off his managerial career at Leighton Town back in 1998. He was once one of the youngest head coaches in European football when he took charge of Maltese side Naxxar Lions.

Image courtesy of northwoodfc.com

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