mmmm the season seems to be much longer than when i started playing in 92 & the first team bench mops up players from junior teams.
Does it have a effect-yes it must but how much im not sure.
We have RDO's & still the numbers of players on the pitch on a Saturday goes down so i can only summise its down to people not wanting to play. Some clubs are doing better than others & are fielding extra teams-Newton/Richmond/Sedgefield so maybe we should ask what they are doing to increase the numbers?