The Sheppey Sunday League are ready to help pioneer a new rule change in the game.

From next season, the league will be adopting a new substitution policy as they seek ideas for keeping participation levels high.

Teams will be able to use all five of their named substitutes in a game instead of being restricted to using just three.

It was an idea that the Sheppey Sunday League put to the Football Association – through the KCFA – after discussions with their own clubs about how to keep people in the game.

The FA are expected to officially announce the rule change soon. The idea could then be implemented nationwide by other grassroots leagues.

League secretary Mark Rogers (pictured) said: "It will be down to the individual league whether they run with the new rules or not. We made the proposal and they’ve agreed with what we’ve said."

The league had also floated the idea of roll-on roll-off substitutions but the changes won’t be that dramatic.

"When a player goes off that’s the end of his game," said Rogers. "But if you have five subs then it gives everyone more of a chance of playing.