Owls chief follows Leeds example by scrapping reserves

The two Yorkshire clubs have played in the Totesport.com League this term with the Owls finishing bottom of the regionalised Central Division and Leeds third in the East section.

For the 2011-12 campaign, however, they will both, instead, play a series of behind-closed-doors friendlies rather than take part in the League.

Explaining Wednesday’s decision, manager Gary Megson said: “I believe there will be no reserve team football in three years’ time. I know of at least three Premier League teams who will not have a reserve team next season.

“As far as Sheffield Wednesday are concerned, our reserve games have become glorified youth games with too much emphasis on the young players who need to focus on their own development.

“We will arrange games next season at our convenience behind closed doors, using our own referees and playing three half-hours if we choose and at a kick-off time we choose.

“There was a time when reserve team football was played by senior professionals on the way back from injury or to gain some fitness. But that is not the case any more because the game has changed so much and we are falling into line with the trend.”

Similar sentiments were expressed by Leeds manager Simon Grayson last week when it was revealed they would concentrate on behind-closed-doors friendlies rather than competitive action.

Goalkeeper Lee Nicholls has returned to parent club Wigan Athletic after a short loan spell at Hillsborough.

Andrew Fitton has resigned as chairman of Swindon Town following the club’s relegation to League Two after Monday’s 3-1 defeat at the Owls.

Fitton, who took over in 2008, watched the Robins come close to securing Championship football 12 months ago as they lost 1-0 to Millwall in the play-off final.

He said: “When I became chairman, I laid down the objective of Championship football within three to five years.

“However, after the ‘highs’ of last season’s play-off final appearance we have experienced the ‘lows’ of relegation and I feel a weight of responsibility for our under-performance this season.”