….certainly an argument for the Central League model. Squad players who were not involved in first team game would play along with those returning from injury and a mix of youngsters.
Terrific opportunity for young players to play open-age football with and against seasoned professionals. The introduction of multi-subs and the preference to keep youngsters in age restricted groups was the end for it.
It wasn’t just Central League, I saw internationals like Bracewell, Van den Hauwe, Jamie Redknapp and Molby coming back from injury and playing in Lancashire League games in ‘80s. As an aside Molby was particularly brilliant playing with and advising those youngsters, it was a masterclass.