Could some of the more "experienced" members of the site kindly set me straight on how team strengths have historically been regulated (or not regulated) in the British Leagues?
I've only ever known the current system of a points limit to riders' combined averages (or grades), but when did this start? I gather too there was formerly a similar system, controlled centrally by the BSPA (?) to redistribute certain riders who had made their teams too strong (or something like that) but I've forgotten what this was called.
When did any form of regulation begin, and were teams previously able to track anyone they liked? In a similar vein, when did teams first have to declare a line-up for the season? And when did the guest system first get used? Did teams have to make do with bringing juniors in previously?
A lot of questions, I know, but the answers wold be much appreciated to help understand the history of these more intricate and awkward rules of our great sport.
Cheers
