When the reserves were set up the local lads largely weren't given a chance to shine, as every week yet another player from one of the 'hot beds' turned up and walked into the squad.
Where are Reece Bailey, Sean Richards, Scott Smith + one or two others now?

I donot understand some of the posts within this thread, surely the coaching team want the best young players , no matter where they come from .

Leave it to the coaching staff or is this what its all about ? Im sure Tony listens to other peoples advice on players in different areas as well as from coaches of local teams .

Absoulutley, spot on comment, my point exactly i think Tony has done well in the off season and has put together a good squad of youngsters who are in the early stages of their development in the pro game and given time will develop into great players for the Dons.

I donot think everyone will agree , but I think it cannot be easy for Tony with little money to spend !

COYD

i have read this thread with great intrest. Do you really believe Reece Bailey could play at this level does he have the desire to want to train hard to be good enough to play at thei level. Sean Richards is a different story i believe he is without doubt the best local player Doncaster have produced for many years. What is he up to these days?

Sean Richards plays for Toll Bar U18's and also I believe he is with Hull KR reserves?

I m not as knowledgeable as many of the people contributing to this thread, but over the years I have heard of & met quite a few young Donny reserves that have gone to play for other clubs after the many different forms of Dons management have messed them about or that we have never had a consistent approach to youth development lasting more than 2 years.

Likewise it is quite depressing to go around Doncaster trying to promote the Dons and even after more than 50 years the majority of people you meet ask if we play at Armthorpe!

Quite agree with you, this must be a future priority of the current management through forming of an open partnership between the amateur clubs in Doncaster and the Dons management to offer a clear pathway for future local players.

its ok saying there a good squad of youngsters but how they going to develop theres no one there to bring them on no old heads and im sorry but dont tony will develop them and bring out the potential and lets say im wrong and 1 or 2 turn out to be greats then they will leave and where back to square 1!!

we will not be back to square on because we may get some money for them eg Gale to Harlequins.

Did we get any fee for Gale I thought he was on loan to the Dons?

Yes , we did , he signed for Dons before he went to London .