ABERDEEN and other top-flight clubs could have no reserve team after the SPL confirmed it is considering scrapping second-string action next season.
Reserve league football has been part of the Scottish game for more than 50 years, but in the current climate its presence leads to clubs expanding their squads unnecessarily.
The current, highly competitive, Under-19s league could fill the vacuum as the SPL's second-string league, which could lead to more young stars coming through the ranks of SPL clubs rather than the clubs being filled with journeymen.
However, the abolition of the reserve league could see up to 100 players released by SPL clubs.
The proposal to dispense with the reserve set-up was first mooted by SPL club directors.
And the idea was discussed at the recent SPL managers' summit, attended by Dons boss Jimmy Calderwood along with Gordon Strachan, Walter Smith, Craig Levein, Mark McGhee and John Hughes.
SPL marketing and communications manager Greig Mailer said: "It's a little premature to say it'll be scrapped but it is under review.
"That was one of the main reasons that the six managers were called to meet with our working group. They opened talks on the subject at their last meeting and it was a fascinating discussion. Now all 12 managers will be invited to the next get-together.
"Once the managers feed in their thoughts, we'll be looking for verification from them on this issue. At that point, we'll compile a report and put forward a recommendation to the SPL board.
"Once they have come to a conclusion on it, a formal proposal will be put to all 12 member clubs at our annual meeting.
"It's not just about cost-cutting, though: that's a factor, of course, but it's broader than that.
"It's more about finding what's best in terms of player development. We used to have an under-21 league with very strict guidelines but we did away with that five years ago. We're constantly reviewing our options and it's all about finding the right system with which to nurture talent.
"We have to decide whether the reserve league is fit for purpose and whether we would be better just continuing with an Under-19 league."
