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Lee Clark explains Hartlepool’s decision to compete in National League Cup as more clubs decline invite

Lee Clark explains Hartlepool’s decision to compete in 2026/27 National League Cup as more clubs decline the invite.

The National League Cup will return for the new campaign, despite low attendances, boycotts and backlash.

The competition between National League clubs and Premier League 2 sides was introduced, the controversial competition launched much to everyone’s surprise, featuring 32 teams (16 National League, 16 Premier League 2 U21).

It looks to be another year of seeing a number of teams deciding not to take part. Now with the league fixtures due to be released for the 2026/27 season, clubs are releasing statements confirming whether they will take part or decline.

Those to have declined include Barrow, Carlisle, Eastleigh, Forest Green, Harrogate, Southend and Yeovil.

But Hartlepool have confirmed they will take part, saying in a statement on their website: “Hartlepool United will compete in the National League Cup for the first time this season, with Manager Lee Clark believing the competition will provide a vital stepping stone for the Club’s emerging young talent.”

Speaking to BBC Radio Tees, Lee Clark said: “It’s important to get this message across to our fans.

“Obviously, the Club weren’t in it last season and they had their reasons, but with the change around in the academy structure this year, with an Under-21 team coming into the Club and a full-time Loans Manager, we felt this was necessary.

“It’s the next step for those young lads to get big-game experience, playing at the stadium and in front of supporters. It’s also an opportunity for our fans to see the next generation and local lads representing the Club. I’m big on giving young players opportunities, so we felt it would defeat the objective of putting those building blocks in place if we didn’t take up this opportunity.”

He added: “I want to be really open and honest with the fans whenever I can.

“We’ll be using this competition for young players to gain experience, but I still hope the fans will come along and support them because they’re the next generation.

“We’ve had a big turnover of players this summer, but you can’t keep doing that every year. You want a solid squad with a strong core, and if you’ve got academy players coming through who can help the first team, that’s hugely beneficial. It means you’re not constantly having to recruit.

“The league, the FA Cup and the FA Trophy are competitions we’ll go into with our strongest possible team to try and win every game.

“This tournament is about helping develop our academy system. Of course, we want the young players to be successful in it, but its main purpose is their development.

“It gives us a real opportunity to see the lads in a tough environment, playing good teams, in front of supporters and at the stadium.

“You see how they react to those occasions because that’s all part of making decisions. Some might show they’re ready to come into the first-team group sooner than expected, while others may take a little longer, and that’s absolutely fine. We’re prepared to be patient because this is about development.”

On building the new Under-21 squad: “It’s been starting from a blank canvas.

“Alex and Jonathan have been superb with their recruitment. They’ve put a huge amount of work into coaching sessions and trial games to identify the right players.

“We’ve already had meetings about loan opportunities because we want these lads experiencing competitive football at the right level. Whether they’re playing in our programme or out on loan, if they go out they’ll come back and play in the National League Cup because we see that as an important part of their development.

“The likes of Terry Bondo and Charlie Penman have come in to be part of our senior squad.

“I’ve always had a history of giving young players opportunities and if they impress during pre-season they’ll get those chances.

“The young lads have been excellent in the first couple of weeks. They’ve put every effort in, they’ve taken on board what we’re trying to do and they couldn’t have given us any more.”

SOUTHEND STATEMENT:

Southend United can confirm that the Club has chosen not to enter the National League Cup for the 2026/27 season.

The decision reflects concerns around increased player workload, the impact of additional fixtures on the playing surface during the winter months, and the prioritisation of our league campaign.

CARLISLE STATEMENT:

Carlisle United can confirm that we will not be taking part in the National League Cup during the 2026/27 season.

YEOVIL STATEMENT:

Yeovil Town Football Club can confirm that we have informed the National League of our decision to decline an invitation to participate in the National League Cup for the 2026/27 season.

Following careful consideration, we believe that, given the demands of an already challenging fixture schedule, our priority must remain our National League campaign, alongside the FA Cup and FA Trophy.

With ambitious objectives for the season ahead, we feel it is important to focus our playing squad and resources on the competitions that are essential to achieving those aims.

We appreciate the work undertaken by both the National League and the Premier League in developing this opportunity for member clubs and wish all participating clubs every success in the competition next season.

FOREST GREEN STATEMENT:

FGR have today confirmed to the National League that we will not be taking part in the National League Cup this season.

After careful consideration, the club feels our focus and resources are best directed towards our objectives in the National League, FA Cup and FA Trophy.

The significant operational costs involved, alongside an already packed fixture schedule, were key factors in reaching this decision.

We look forward to a busy and exciting season ahead, and thank you for your continued support. 💚

BARROW STATEMENT:

The club said: “Barrow AFC Confirm Decision Not to Enter National League Cup

“Barrow AFC can confirm that the Club has today formally notified the National League of its intention not to enter the National League Cup for the 2026/27 season.

“The decision has been reached following careful consideration of all factors. As preparations continue for the forthcoming campaign, the Club believes its focus and resources are best directed towards competing as strongly as possible in the National League, FA Cup and FA Trophy, competitions which remain central to Barrow AFC’s objectives for the season ahead.

“Significant travel and operational costs associated with participation in the National League Cup, coupled with historically low attendances and limited financial return during the early stages of the competition, have been important factors in the Club’s decision-making process.

“Whilst the prize fund available in the latter rounds is recognised, the Club believes that its resources are best focused on achieving its objectives within the National League and the major knockout competitions during the 2026/27 season.”

EASTLEIGH STATEMENT:

“Eastleigh Football Club would like to confirm that the club will not be competing in The National League Cup competition.

“Following yesterday’s announcement by the National League regarding the new National League Cup competition incorporating the Premier League U21 teams, Eastleigh Football Club can confirm for our fans that whilst we qualified for the competition we, like numerous other National league teams, declined to enter the competition.

“Our rational for this decision was based on numerous factors some of which we have listed below:

“National League teams currently receive no compensation or protection for our young players, some of whom would feature in this competition. Premier League and EFL clubs simply take these players that have often had many years development at our clubs, something they cannot do to each other. Providing these clubs with competitive games to then play these players or showcase more of them to be taken under these circumstances is completely illogical.

“The financial reward for playing in the competition is negligible and is likely to cost the club some much-needed funds.

“We don’t believe there is a huge demand for the competition from our supporters or any other National League club.

“The fixtures are to be played between October and April which is a time in the season where the club would hope to be competing in the FA Trophy, FA Cup and mounting a challenge for the Play-offs/Promotion and to add more fixtures to this already busy schedule would be counter productive.

“To fulfil these extra fixtures, the club would need to increase the size of its first team squad which would come at considerable cost to cover games that would provide no revenue to support this.

“National League clubs were not consulted before the decision had been made by the National League in the same way that we were not involved in the removal of FA Cup replays recently. Both of these decisions have potentially huge financial implications for National League clubs and also for our supporters.

“A number of other clubs have made the decision to not participate. If we truly value our football pyramid, which is often held up as something we should be proud of and unique then it is incumbent on the clubs to push back against developments that devalue our national sport something which we believe this cup competition does.

“Lower league football provides huge enjoyment all over the country for thousands of fans, is a large employer, and providing vital experience along the way to thousands of people connected to the game many of whom subsequently achieve well paid, hugely rewarding jobs higher up the football pyramid.

“Our clubs are being under-valued, and far too many have not survived in the game when there is more money than ever flowing into it. This needs addressing and this competition increases the huge divide which
currently exists.

“This competition which we feel benefits the richest in the game at the expense of the poorest, many of whom are fighting to survive so on balance we feel the right decision for clubs and fans at this level is to withdraw from the competition.”

HARROGATE STATEMENT:

Harrogate Town have confirmed to the National League the club’s decision not to take part in the National League Cup during the 2026/27 season.

This decision has been made taking into account a number of factors, and will allow our full focus to be on competing in the National League, FA Cup and FA Trophy.

We look forward to welcoming supporters back to The Marcy Fitness Stadium for our first home pre-season fixture on Saturday 25th July.

Here’s a look at all the attendances from the National League Cup groups stage and knockouts for the 2025/26 season…

25/26 Group stage
Solihull Moors 1–2 Everton U21 – 942
Brackley Town 2–0 Blackburn Rovers U21 – 546
Rochdale 2–1 Burnley U21 – 1,452
Rochdale 3–2 Blackburn Rovers U21 – 1,135
Solihull Moors 0–0 (5–4 p) Burnley U21 – 476
Brackley Town 2–1 Manchester United U21 – 2,942
Tamworth 2–1 Everton U21 – 426
Solihull Moors 1–0 Blackburn Rovers U21 – 275
Brackley Town 1–1 (2–4 p) Everton U21 – 928
Tamworth 4–0 Burnley U21 – 362
Rochdale 0–2 Manchester United U21 – 2,960
Rochdale 1–0 Everton U21 – 635
Solihull Moors 4–1 Manchester United U21 – 1,522
Brackley Town 2–1 Burnley U21 – 353
Tamworth 3–0 Blackburn Rovers U21 – 251
Tamworth 3–0 Manchester United U21 – 1,022
Boreham Wood 2–0 Nottingham Forest U21 – 418
Braintree Town 2–0 Leicester City U21 – 291
Wealdstone 2–1 Wolverhampton Wanderers U21 – 215
Forest Green Rovers 3–1 West Bromwich Albion U21 – 417
Boreham Wood 3–1 West Bromwich Albion U21 – 443
Braintree Town 1–0 Nottingham Forest U21 – 244
Forest Green Rovers 3–2 Wolverhampton Wanderers U21 – 317
Wealdstone 2–1 Leicester City U21 – 226
Braintree Town 2–3 West Bromwich Albion U21 – 169
Forest Green Rovers 2–2 (3–5 p) Leicester City U21 – 340
Wealdstone 0–2 Nottingham Forest U21 – 168
Boreham Wood 4–3 Leicester City U21 – 404
Braintree Town 3–2 Wolverhampton Wanderers U21 – 206
Forest Green Rovers 0–1 Nottingham Forest U21 – 265
Wealdstone 2–0 West Bromwich Albion U21 – 125
Boreham Wood 4–0 Wolverhampton Wanderers U21 – 402
Aldershot Town 1–2 Brighton & Hove Albion U21 – 576
Sutton United 0–7 Fulham U21 – 806
Truro City 3–2 Southampton U21 – 1,909
Woking 0–2 West Ham United U21 – 241
Sutton United 1–2 Brighton & Hove Albion U21 – 437
Truro City 1–0 Fulham U21 – 1,114
Woking 2–1 Southampton U21 – 212
Aldershot Town 3–3 (2–4 p) Southampton U21 – 371
Sutton United 3–3 (3–4 p) West Ham United U21 – 633
Truro City 3–0 Brighton & Hove Albion U21 – 1,297
Woking 2–0 Fulham U21 – 262
Aldershot Town 2–1 Fulham U21 – 505
Truro City 0–3 West Ham United U21 – 2,266
Woking 1–1 (4–2 p) Brighton & Hove Albion U21 – 174
Aldershot Town 1–5 West Ham United U21 – 729
Boston United 2–1 Middlesbrough U21 – 733
Boston United 4–0 Leeds United U21 – 830
Scunthorpe United 2–3 Sunderland U21 – 979
Gateshead 3–4 Newcastle United U21 – 505
FC Halifax Town 2–1 Middlesbrough U21 – 207
Boston United 4–0 Sunderland U21 – 486
Scunthorpe United 1–3 Leeds United U21 – 1,016
Gateshead 0–2 Middlesbrough U21 – 226
Boston United 1–3 Newcastle United U21 – 630
FC Halifax Town 3–0 Leeds United U21 – 524
Gateshead 1–1 (4–3 p) Sunderland U21 – 158
Scunthorpe United 3–2 Middlesbrough U21 – 428
FC Halifax Town 1–1 (3–5 p) Sunderland U21 – 201
Gateshead 0–3 Leeds United U21 – 120
Scunthorpe United 2–0 Newcastle United U21 – 369
FC Halifax Town 0–0 (7–6 p) Newcastle United U21 – 246

25/26 Quarter finals
Boston United 1–2 West Ham United U21 – 688
Boreham Wood 5–2 Brackley Town – 509
Truro City 1–1 (3–0 p) Braintree Town – 1,023
Tamworth 1–0 FC Halifax Town – 476

25/26 Semi finals
Boreham Wood 2–0 Truro City – 678
Tamworth 1–3 West Ham United U21 – 1,341

25/26 Final
Boreham Wood 2–2 West Ham United U21 – 2,803

There was a total attendance of 47,812 for the 2025/26 National League Cup, and reportedly just 673 per match.

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