GRIMSBY Town's bosses may pull their reserves squad out of league action after this season.
The Mariners' second string returned to the Central League this campaign after a one-year absence.
It was seen as a useful way of nursing injured players back to match fitness, while providing game time for those on the fringes of the squad.
But Town's joint bosses are reconsidering the club's involvement as they are concerned about the infrequency of fixtures and the quality of opposition.
The reserves have only played a handful of games since August. Three have been postponed – the latest being last week when the scheduled trip to Rotherham fell victim to the wintry weather.
Joint manager Rob Scott described the league as something of a "poisoned chalice", saying that the club's membership for next season is up for consideration.
"It's something that we're definitely going to have a look at," he said.
"If I'm honest, the reserve league is a bit of poisoned chalice.
"The games are so sporadic – you can play one week and then not have a game for another month.
"A lot of people were clamouring for us to be back in the reserve league.
"But I think it's a negative as much as it is a positive for us with the fact that you don't get a consistent run of games.
"Paul and I have been to reserve games this season and it's basically kids – a YT game that you would see on a Saturday morning at most training grounds – with the odd exception of an injured player or someone who's not featuring at all."
Scott added that if the Mariners were to withdraw from the reserve league next season, the club could still field a second-string squad of sorts – they would organise their own fixtures as required.
He continued: "A lot of teams, even in the Football League are dropping out of the reserve league because of costs and size of squad – the smaller the squad, the fewer players you have for reserve games. I think it would be easier for us to arrange games as and when we need them.
"We'll discuss that looking forward to next season, and possibly we'll play a better quality of opposition and put out a better quality of side on a more regular basis."
