johnmartin
Active Member
I understand why the other thread has been locked and fully support your actions Roger however it was starting to head off into a more general debate on, for want of a better word, "poaching" of players. Here are a few thoughts off the top of my head which are intended to stimulate debate on this subject.
It is always disappointing for a band, especially in the lower sections, to lose a player to another band. This disappointment is made worse if it is a player on whom you have spent a lot of time and trouble training up and maybe looked upon as 'one for the futre', someone you could start to build a band around. They always seem to think the grass is greener on the other side but it more often than not isn't.
I have had instances of higher section bands signing one of our players and using them for a specific contest before subsequently signing, from a different band, the player they were after for the seat in the first place. Sometimes they need to drop a card to make room and guess who gets dropped. This is no good to us though as the six month rule forbids that player coming back and they invariably go elsewhere or drop out of banding disillusioned by it all.
I believe that the guesting regulations have exarcebated this problem. I am always wary of bands who request to guest any of our players as I always worry about what sort of persuasion they will be subjected to. I know this goes on because it happens to me every time I guest for another band. Am I being paranoid or is it just a healthy distrust.
Why is it that these issues always seem to come to the fore before contests and usually the importants ones like the regionals. Is it time to look at a transfer window type arrangement or would this prove too difficult to administer
The only slight item of controversy I will touch on is that this sort of behaviour seems to be more prevalent amongst Championship and first section bands. Is it because that bands at this level naturally gravitate away from being a "fun" band and more towards the "serious" end of the spectrum. To maintain their position they often need to get a player in quickly when vacancies arise. Of course at the very highest level the top bands usually have no problem finding players.
In instances of players whose work may send them away for longish periods of time, but who wish to remain with their own registered band e.g. my work often send me to England but not for long enough to justify moving there full time, could we instigate a loan policy like in football where a player can be on loan to another band but remain registered with their home band. This could also be used to allow championship and first section bands to farm out their own registered players who don't normally get a seat on the contest stage. The band holding the registration can then recall the player should they have an emergency with one of their regulars. Is this a workable idea?
Whilst it may seem that I am moaning I should point out that I believe firmly that if a player wants to go then we, as a band, should not stand in their way. There is no way I personally would want to rely on an unhappy player as their commitment will probably not be as good as those that want to be there. I also accept that there are circumstances which arise where a player may leave your band to go elsewhere due to work or family commitments.
Hope this starts a healthy debate on the issues with the current transfer system. I look forward to reading your comments.
It is always disappointing for a band, especially in the lower sections, to lose a player to another band. This disappointment is made worse if it is a player on whom you have spent a lot of time and trouble training up and maybe looked upon as 'one for the futre', someone you could start to build a band around. They always seem to think the grass is greener on the other side but it more often than not isn't.
I have had instances of higher section bands signing one of our players and using them for a specific contest before subsequently signing, from a different band, the player they were after for the seat in the first place. Sometimes they need to drop a card to make room and guess who gets dropped. This is no good to us though as the six month rule forbids that player coming back and they invariably go elsewhere or drop out of banding disillusioned by it all.
I believe that the guesting regulations have exarcebated this problem. I am always wary of bands who request to guest any of our players as I always worry about what sort of persuasion they will be subjected to. I know this goes on because it happens to me every time I guest for another band. Am I being paranoid or is it just a healthy distrust.
Why is it that these issues always seem to come to the fore before contests and usually the importants ones like the regionals. Is it time to look at a transfer window type arrangement or would this prove too difficult to administer
The only slight item of controversy I will touch on is that this sort of behaviour seems to be more prevalent amongst Championship and first section bands. Is it because that bands at this level naturally gravitate away from being a "fun" band and more towards the "serious" end of the spectrum. To maintain their position they often need to get a player in quickly when vacancies arise. Of course at the very highest level the top bands usually have no problem finding players.
In instances of players whose work may send them away for longish periods of time, but who wish to remain with their own registered band e.g. my work often send me to England but not for long enough to justify moving there full time, could we instigate a loan policy like in football where a player can be on loan to another band but remain registered with their home band. This could also be used to allow championship and first section bands to farm out their own registered players who don't normally get a seat on the contest stage. The band holding the registration can then recall the player should they have an emergency with one of their regulars. Is this a workable idea?
Whilst it may seem that I am moaning I should point out that I believe firmly that if a player wants to go then we, as a band, should not stand in their way. There is no way I personally would want to rely on an unhappy player as their commitment will probably not be as good as those that want to be there. I also accept that there are circumstances which arise where a player may leave your band to go elsewhere due to work or family commitments.
Hope this starts a healthy debate on the issues with the current transfer system. I look forward to reading your comments.