Gary Naysmith is hopeful that Queen of the South can become a “feeder club” for Sheffield United.
Naysmith, who spent three years as a player with the Blades, is manager at the Scottish Championship side.
The 40-year-old used his links at Bramall Lane to secure the loan signing of Callum Semple. The young defender played 27 times in all competitions in the first half of this season.
After the success of Semple, Naysmith is hoping to utilise his contacts in South Yorkshire again should the opportunity arise.
“We have now built up a relationship with Sheffield United and if, in the future, we feel that they have a player who will benefit from a similar situation as Callum, we will try to do that,” the former Blade told the Sheffield Star.
“It is a market that I am looking to get into more with some of my ex-clubs, to try and get a link-up and make us a bit of a feeder club for some clubs in England.”
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Naysmith also played for Everton and Huddersfield Town during a 12-year stay in English football between 2000 and 2012.
United’s other feeder clubs
The use of a feeder club is one that is common in English football. Bigger sides often loan players to the same teams because they have struck up a partnership with them.
It is one that is mutually beneficial, as the lower league teams can first pick on some of the brightest young talents in the game. Meanwhile, the players get valuable game time they wouldn’t have otherwise achieved.
Previously United have had links with Chinese club Chengdu FC, whom as Reuters outlines they bought a controlling stake in January 2006. That was sold in 2010. They also have a partnership with Belgian outfit Royal White Star Woluwe and in 2007 discussed the possibility of doing the same with Hungarian side Ferencvaros.
In England they have a strong link with Oxford United because boss Chris Wilder used to be manager there. Samir Carruthers and Ricky Holmes are both currently on loan with The U’s as a result.