TOWN midfielder Michael Pook has thrown his full weight behind Football League proposals to introduce a ‘Home Grown Players’ rule from the beginning of next season.

The new rule would require at least four players from clubs’ 16 man matchday squads to have been registered domestically, for a minimum of three seasons, prior to their 21st birthday.

Football League clubs will vote on the proposals at a specially arranged EGM on December 18, and Pook is keeping his fingers crossed for a positive outcome.

“It seems like a good idea and I would be all for it,” said the Town midfielder.

“It’s a dream for me to play for Swindon because I have lived here all my life and supported the club as a kid.

“Lads like Sean Morrison and Ben Joyce have done brilliantly when given the chance, which shows something like this can work.

“People can develop at different times, so you have to hold onto your players to get the best out of them in the end.

“I will always promote local lads and home grown talent but at the same time football is a business.

“That means you will play with people from anywhere because it’s all about the results. It sounds like an interesting proposal though.”

Town caretaker boss Dave Byrne is also in favour of the proposals, which would come into effect from the start of the 2009/10 campaign.

He said: “I would vote in favour of it. Any exposure you can get for producing your kids and bringing them through is good for the game.

“Down here you’ve got Michael Pook, Chris Allen, Callum Kennedy who have come right through the ranks.

“If they get the exposure and then the recognition when they come through to the first team, it can only be good for the club.

“Being part of the first team squad can help young players grow up, and when people see the kids out there playing that’s where you start the ball rolling in regards to them going on to bigger and better things.”

In announcing the proposals Football League chairman Lord Mawhinney said, “We believe it is time for The Football League to make a clear and unequivocal statement of intent about the importance of developing young players in the domestic game.

“The aim is to establish this principle by setting a threshold that our clubs can accommodate and then to consider raising that level over time.

“It is important we demonstrate that, as a body of clubs, our commitment to youth development is total,” he continued. “Therefore, not only are we pulling out all the stops to develop these young players in the first place, we are also ensuring that they have the opportunity to show their talent in the first team.”