far too sensible for it to come to fruition...

How would this work with first team players who get suspended, it really would blow the open the loop hole for using reserve grade games. I do like the idea but at the moment there are more questions than answers

Stays the way it is now IMO, reserve games only count on weeks when there is no first team game anyway, so the only time it'd possibly have any effect is if there's a League 1 fixture during an international break.

And what happens when an SL reserve team wins league one?

In Spanish football, the reserve sides playing in their first team league system cannot be promoted, so it would presumably follow that model.

It sounds a great idea in principle. The new structure prevents promotion to the top flight, so having reserve grade sides in the 3rd tier shouldnt have any impact on the integrity, but will have a massive impact on player development with guaranteed games.

I take it these fixtures would be played at Robin Park and not the DW - although a Wigan/Saints reserve grade game would probably get a five figure crowd if it was marketed well.

From a competitive standpoint it would be great. I'm not sure the money would work though. Very few people watch reserves even if they are only being charged a fiver or getting in free with a season ticket. It's mainly just friends and family of the players. League 1 clubs are already skint, that would be a big hit for them to take.

If it was to go ahead I wouldn't be surprised to see Orrell redeveloped to accommodate the reserves and women's games.