Dec 18 2008
Football League Clubs Vote in Favour of Home Grown Players Rule
Football League clubs today voted in favour of a new rule which will mean that at least four players from a team’s 16 man match day squad will need to have been registered domestically, for at least three seasons, prior to their 21st birthday. The rule comes in to put focus on player development, and ensure that quality young players are given the chance to shine.
Regardless of a player’s nationality; if they’ve been registered in the UK for a minimum of three seasons prior to their 21st birthday at a club affiliated with either the Football Association, or the Football Association of Wales, then they will be considered home grown. Clubs voted today at Derby County’s Pride Park stadium, and there was a majority vote in favour of the new home grown players ruling.
The new rule will come into effect for the 2009/10 season, and Football League Chairman Lord Mawhinney had the following to say; “I would like to compliment Football League clubs for having the foresight to make changes that will benefit the wider game”, and also adding that “As a result of today’s vote, those players being developed will have a greater chance to demonstrate their talent at first team level”.
The Football League is really showing its commitment to young talent with this new rule, and the decision to vote in favour of the ruling is likely to go down well with Football League club following fans of the country. It’s certainly a very interesting rule to have been passed, and surely one which will have very positive consequences.
