More clubs explain their decision to decline an invite or withdraw from the National League Cup, with a replacement confirmed.
Reading are the latest team to confirm they will not be taking part in the competition, which is due to start on the 1st of October, in less than a week or writing this article.
They join a list of clubs who are not playing in this. Seth Sowerby on Twitter tweeted: “Congratulations to the real winners of the ‘Kickback Cup’ – Barnet, Solihull, Southend, Hartlepool, Eastleigh, AFC Fylde, Yeovil & my very own York City. By declining to enter this farce of a competition you’ve prioritised fans & football over appeasing the Premier League.”
The club can confirm its decision to withdraw its Under 21 side from the Premier League National League Cup.
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— Reading FC (@ReadingFC) September 25, 2024
READING STATEMENT:
Reading Football Club can confirm its decision to withdraw Reading FC U21s from the Premier League National League Cup.
Our Under 21s are already competing across four significant competitions in 2024-25, this combined with injuries and increased opportunities at first team level have led to higher-than-expected demands on the squad. The original decision to enter was made back in June – however, after considering all options and discussing with the Premier League, the club felt the right decision would be to withdraw and allow another club to participate.
The Club would like to stress the decision to withdraw was not financially motivated, but instead due to managing the workload of our U21 playing staff – many of whom may be involved at a first team level this season.
The club are proud of its Academy and rich heritage in Premier League Academy competitions – with our U21 side progressing far into Premier League 2 playoffs last season and securing a superb victory against AFC Ajax Under 21 on Tuesday evening.
We wish the Premier League and all participants the very best for the competition.
York City co-owner criticises new National League Cup; other clubs clarify their position
Above, you can see statements from other clubs including York (Matt Uggla), Eastleigh, FC United (who are against), and Rochdale who have explained why they decided to take part.
Hartlepool United manager Darren Sarll has confirmed that Pools turned down an invitation to compete in the inaugural National League Cup.
“We were approached but we decided we didn’t want to be involved,” he said per Hartlepool Mail.
“What is the benefit?
“If there’s a financial benefit, then Darren Sarll gets told that we’re doing it, there’s no discussion, that’s the business of football.
“Is there a benefit to it in terms of football? I don’t think so.
“We can’t arrange reserve games to give our players extra minutes during the week, so why would we add another three or four games? Seriously, why?
“You look at some of the EFL Trophy games and the stadiums are at, what, 15 per cent capacity.
“It costs more than that to get the ground open, it’s crazy.
“When you rounded all of the decimals up, nothing ever came to one and there was no reason to do it.
“I think the club has made a brilliant decision – if other teams want to do it, then good on them and good luck to them.”
Southend United chief executive Tom Lawrence spoke on why the Shrimpers will not be competing in the National League Cup.
He said, per Southend Echo: “When this competition was presented to us in the summer, we looked at the numbers and couldn’t see how we could make it work financially.
“We also had concerns over pitch deterioration, over the winter months, and we were unsure at the time the decision was made to not participate where we would be squad-wise.
“We don’t want players fatigued in the run in to the end of the season.
“For all these reasons we decided that we will not participate in the competition this year.”
Yeovil Town manager Mark Cooper has said: “I think, if you ask most managers, they’ll be dreading it. I think I’d be dreading it, I’m pleased we’re not in it”
#DCFCU21s will compete in the inaugural National League Cup this season. 🏆
Tap below for fixture details.
— Derby County Academy (@dcfcacademy) September 25, 2024
DERBY STATEMENT:
The Premier League and the National League recently launched a new competition for first teams of National League clubs and Premier League 2 sides.
The National League Cup is designed to give young players from Premier League and EFL clubs additional opportunities to test themselves against senior opposition, with the aim of further aiding elite player development.
The competition, which begins in October, also offers an opportunity for National League clubs to play regular matches against the best Under-21 teams in England at their own stadiums, with this additional exposure intended to improve the playing and spectator experience, as well as the clubs’ growth and sustainability.
National League clubs will also keep all gate receipts from these fixtures.
Derby County’s Under-21s will compete in the inaugural competition and will take part in Group A, accepting the Premier League’s invitation following Reading’s withdrawal.
Jake Buxton’s side are joined by fellow Premier League 2 sides Brighton & Hove Albion, Fulham and Southampton, and will face National League sides Aldershot Town, Maidenhead United, Wealdstone and Woking as a result.
What’s the competition’s format?
The National League Cup is a 32-team midweek competition, comprising 16 under-21 teams participating in Premier League 2, and 16 first teams from clubs participating in the National League.
The competition will consist of a group stage (four groups of eight), with the two best-placed teams in each group advancing to a knockout stage to determine the winner.
Tony Scholes, Chief Football Officer at the Premier League, said: “We’re excited to launch this new competition in partnership with the National League. The competition will provide additional opportunities for young players in the under 17-21 age groups to gain valuable experience of playing against First Team opposition, something many of our current Premier League stars have experienced in their development. We’re pleased to be able to support in the operation of the competition and look forward to seeing the wider benefits it will bring to National League clubs.”
Mark Ives, General Manager at the National League said: “This new competition presents another exciting chapter in our partnership with the Premier League. Our sides will have a great opportunity to compete against some of the best Academy Players in the country. We’re excited to be working closer with the Premier League on the operational side of the new competition and look forward to continuing our valued partnership further.”
The combined prize fund for the competition is £1million, provided by the Premier League. Prize money will be distributed only to National League clubs.
The competition becomes a component of the Elite Player Performance Plan, which has seen over £2billion of investment into Premier League and EFL academies over the last decade, with the aim of producing more and better homegrown players.
Players within the Professional Development Phase (under-17 to under-21) compete in a range of competitions including Premier League 2, the Under-18 Premier League, the Premier League International Cup and the EFL Trophy.
When does the competition take place?
Group stage (subject to change)
Match round 1: 1-2 October 2024
Match round 2: 5-6 November 2024
Match round 3: 3-4 December 2024
Match round 4: 21-22 January 2025
Knockout rounds (subject to change)
Quarter-finals: 5-6 February 2025
Semi-finals: 11-12 March 2025
Final: 1-2 April 2025
Thanks to everyone who completed our survey about the National League Cup. We’ve published the results and a short note on our meeting with the Club tonight #oafc
❌9 in 10 opposed the new competition.
🏠91% won’t attend any of the group games.https://t.co/FNML4AbW6I— Oldham Athletic Supporters Foundation (@_OASF) September 23, 2024
Here’s how fans reacted as more clubs explain the decision to decline invite or withdraw from the National League Cup…
@brf_1871: Great to see from a moral angle not to see us take part in an unwanted competition on the back of scrapping FA Cup replays, crucial for non-league club finances. Shame not to see the same regarding the other B Team Trophy in an ideal world.
@england1871: Good choice. I think the National League cup should be for those teams from Step 5 and below. Adding under 21 teams ruined the EFL Trophy so we don’t need this
@gloverscast: Even the PL2 teams don’t fancy it… @TheVanaramaNL. Awkward.
@viccielliot: I think at least four national league teams declined as well. Eastleigh put out a long statement about it. FA trying to appease them for no replays? Not worked.
@TheDB30: 7 days from the start of the National League Cup and several clubs are yet to release any fixture information. This supercup that’s clearly the answer to all the National League’s problems going absolutely spectacularly already 🤥🐸☕️
@foreverayellow: i mean we’re seeing attendance sunder a 1,000 from games against B teams in the EFL Trophy, how low are we going to go for the National League Cup?!
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