Sorry, should have mentioned chance to work, oversight on my part. My mates would rather play for reserves but turning down work to sit and watch is a no-brainer.
Playing cricket is important to them as well, so when the team is selected after training they have the choice.
As for turning up regardless of selection in team or not, hats off to 'bigjohn' for doing that. Will you be going to Whitehaven to sit in the stand, like I have in the past, if the player you travel with isn't in the 17? If so, I salute your dedication (and I'm not taking the p155)

Work commitments are an exception i have been fortunate to be associated with several players in the past some who now are playing for superleague clubs some of these players at 17 and 18 yrs also had other interests but there comes a time for a young lad to have to make choices in their lives about whats important to them as they often cannot give 100% commitment to both and yes thanks for the compliment Gargoyle i will be at the Whitehaven game regardless hope your mate gets his chance soon

I coach Fev reserves mate, no antics here, just feel sorry for the players who are complaining about the way they are treated at Donny.

Who the hell asks every player to turn up on game day without telling them if they are playing or not?

Do they not have game prep the nigth before? Do they not hand tip sheets out to the 18 players selected? Do they not give the lads chance to prepare for a game the night before by knowing they are playing and therefore eat well and plenty of rest?

How long before the players who turn up every Saturday only to find out they aint playing think 'sod this, I am off on the beer the ngiht before now cos I never get picked nayway'

nobody can for see future and lads getting injured in warm ups and such but i know a lad who was 18th man and coaches still picked sum1 else instead of him! i think its a case of his face doesnt fit!!

i also dont think anyone is having a go at lads coaching staff yes!
i played for dons/dragons acadamy alliance and reserve and on occasions we had to ring people to come and play there is nothing wrong with it, it beats playing wi 15 or 16 because that doesnt look good!

The player who turned up as 18th man for the York (H) fixture and was then overlooked in favour of someone else is a friend of mine. What really p155ed him off even more was the player who had to drop out at short notice played in the same position as him, yet the player drafted in over his head did not! Now that is p155 poor management/coaching if I've ever seen it. The bloke has already played at this level at a different club and accepts that you're not always going to get a start, so has total understanding of what it takes to play at this level (Quote from 'bigjohn'), but when decisions like that are made you must start to wonder what is going on?

And Bandito is correct in every point. The 18 should be selected prior to match day, leaving the rest of the squad to decide what to do with their saturdays, be it support the team, work, play an alternative sport or go on a massive bender on friday night if they want to.

As for the 'Amateur' game comment about not bothering after 4 games, the reason for this is clear for all to see. If the team were performing well and results were improving theres always the thought that you 'Don't change a winning team'.
But look at the results!
As already stated, my friend (the one already mentioned, I've more than one in the reserves) knows exactly what it entails to play at reserve level, and would quite willingly adhere to that. What he won't put up with is being messed about when it looks as though his face doesn't fit.

Good luck for the rest of the season, I think the lads are going to need it.

Just been told some of the reserves who have been getting mullered are in the first team squad for tomorrow.
Get your house on Halifax getting 80 (and I say that with absolutely no pleasure).
As previously stated-we've had it!

A mere setback.....in the history of the Dons.....and nothing new.
I will be there.

Good luck to the boys who have been called up to the first team for

tonights game and to the rest of the lads for their match on Friday

Lets get behind both teams and show our support

I'm with you on that bigjohn but it's a sorry state of affairs I'm afraid.
I was there at Tattersfield in 1995 when 'Fax beat us 0-72 and we were lucky to get nil. An even bigger defeat could be on cards for them although I hope they prove me wrong.

(PS it was £6 to get in to the reserves at Hunslet 2 years ago when my mate played. Take plenty of cash!)

£3 now

You never know the underdogs have come out on top before as long as they do their best thats all you can ask for under the circumstances.

what a game for those reserve players to make their debut in against Fax and in front of the sky cameras

Thanks for tip at Hunslet hope it is £3 now dont mind paying but £6 is a bit steep

I didn't think the supporters were slating the lads - more the amateurish way in which they felt the team was being run.

Lost 90-0 last night

Oh dear.

68-0 and 90-0 - Doesn't read too well at all.