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Whether this was the correct decision or not, it has caused massive debate over the last year with arguments on both sides. Initially I thought it was a poor move but having spoken to people involved, and learned of the effect it had on the younger players my opinion certainly changed. Perhaps we should have pulled out a few years earlier as the size of the first team squad reduced dramatically.
Times are changing at Turf Moor, the first team squad is going to be bigger than it was last year, remember by the end of August last year the squad was only numbered 19. It is it at that total now with the promise of more to come. That has led to a change of mind for the reserves and again next season we will play in the Pontin's Holiday League West alongside eleven other teams from the North West.
The clubs in the league are: Accrington Stanley, Blackpool, Burnley, Bury, Carlisle United, Chester City, Manchester City, Morecambe, Preston North End, Rochdale, Tranmere Rovers and Wrexham. The Manchester City team will be a third team, similar to the one Manchester United entered in the 2004/05 season.
Burnley have given no indication as yet as to where the home games might be played. For a long time we remained traditional and played them at the Turf, but as the pitch had problems at the beginning of 2005 we opted to play at Accrington for the remainder of that season and the whole of the following season. With Stanley now in the league it doesn't look to be an option.
Still, we're back and there might be more exciting trips to the likes of Radcliffe Borough, Rossendale United, Vauxhall Motors and Buckley Town to look forward to.