THE STRENGTHENING DEBATE

My personal viewpoint...

The current Lincs League rule is there to deter 2nd (and lower) teams being strengthened by the inclusion of players who would otherwise have turned out in the first (higher) team. In almost every case where a complaint has been made under this rule, it's happened on a day when that club's higher side did not have a fixture.
There's a simple question to pose in each case: Which team would the player have been in if there'd been 1st and 2nd XI fixtures that day?
The anti-strengthening rule was voted in by a clear majority and is not exactly new.
If clubs don't like it and wish to see it scrapped, there's an opportunity at the annual general meeting to come up with a suitable rule change and see how they get on.
However, they should note that many of us go along with the current rule which considers it to be against the spirit of the game to play so-called ringers in lower teams.
This policy used to be widespread and resulted in a host of grumbles and indignation - hence the introduction of the rule, passed with a clear majority.
Should it really be considered OK to save your 2nd X1 from relegation, or clinch promotion, by playing first teamers in vital games? How is that fair to other teams also involved in the relegation dogfight or seeking promotion?