One Premier League chief suggests the B team proposal which has angered fans of EFL clubs, claiming it could be a potential saviour.
Former FA boss Dan Ashworth, a technical director at Brighton feels it’s the right time for Premier League ‘B’ sides to take up places in the lower leagues to aid the development of home grown players, but also assist struggling lower league clubs counting the cost of the coronavirus.
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It was an idea put forward six years ago, as part of plans to reform the structure, however EFL clubs opposed it.
League One and Two both look set to be called off in a meeting next week as unplayed fixtures pile up.
He told The Mirror: “Everyone starts by looking at their own house. Our budgets, what our outgoings and incomings are.
“A few years ago, we explored strategic loan clubs, B teams, partner clubs, those sort of things.
“Maybe things like that come back on the table because if there is a shortage of money and everybody has to cut their cloth accordingly.”
Ashworth said football will have to become more co-operative and resourceful in the wake of the virus.
He added: “Maybe there’s some ways we can form partnerships that we can share resources and help one another.
“Ground sharing has been looked at, artificial surfaces that can be used for numerous things from concerts to training and women’s and men’s games in the same venue.
“Maybe we become more resourceful and share those resources accordingly. There’s a great phrase… the more resources you have, the more resourceful you become. I wonder whether we’re in that state with football at the moment.”
Fans all over making a stand & looking after their club, the Football League & our beautiful pyramid #BTeamBoycott pic.twitter.com/QLC345kpd3
— Nigel Groom (@NigelGroom) August 30, 2016
Since the 2016–17 season, 16 under-21 sides from Premier League and EFL Championship clubs have competed in the EFL Trophy.
None of which have made the final at Wembley, though the closest to reaching it was Chelsea U21, who got as far as the semi final in the 2017-18 season.
These are the B teams to have played in that competition so far…
Arsenal
Aston Villa
Blackburn Rovers
Brighton & Hove Albion
Chelsea
Derby County
Everton
Fulham
Leicester City
Liverpool
Manchester City
Middlesbrough
Newcastle United
Norwich City
Reading
Southampton
Stoke City
Sunderland
Swansea City
Tottenham Hotspur
West Bromwich Albion
West Ham United
Wolverhampton Wanderers
As mentioned, the latest B team proposal has angered fans of EFL clubs, which you can see…
That happens, I’m done with football.
— Steve Cornell-Davis (@Cornell_Davis) May 9, 2020
Perfect time for it in their eyes right now
— Brendon Bone (@brendonvbone) May 9, 2020
— Hayley Newman (@NewmanHay) May 9, 2020
Everybody that attends the checkatrade or whatever it is called now has already given the thumbs up to this
— james poole (@poole_james) May 9, 2020
There’s no way I’m watching B teams. Simply wouldn’t turn up for those game’s
— jamie kennedy (@jamken123) May 9, 2020
If ‘B’ Teams come in more & more fans will head out the door and watch non league football.. People wont pay £20+ to watch clubs b teams when generally at present it £2/3 down local non league club..
— Dave Phillips (@DaveWFC) May 9, 2020
Premier League B teams will be saving nothing in the EFL and anyone who thinks they should be admitted to the league should be doused in 10 litres of unleaded and given a box of swan vesta’s and asked to light any of them
— Pandamonium Fanzine (@Pandamonium1881) May 9, 2020
We may not be there but still pic.twitter.com/XliADDdX6O
— Reece (@BoroFCcentral) May 9, 2020
B teams wont save the EFL it will kill it off
— Alan Middleton #StayAtHomeSaveLives (@alanm8412) May 8, 2020
In the whole history of bad ideas that comes out fucking top ? pic.twitter.com/itAIXSORmc
— xavier blackler (@blackler1998) May 8, 2020
This should never be discussed. We’re talking about the very real prospect of football clubs not surviving, & being replaced by Man City B? If you think that’s acceptable you should not be in football.
— ʝøиåτħáñ βяöŵň (@JBmoobs) May 8, 2020
Have the authorities learnt anything from the boycott of the checkatrade trophy. I’d rather have smaller leagues or even lose a division.
— David Covill (@DavidCovill) May 8, 2020
I would rather struggling clubs went semi pro than PL B teams enter the league. No real football fan wants the b team model.
— ad ward (@adward152no) May 9, 2020
— Clucking Bantams ? (@toddmustgo) May 9, 2020
I will never go to watch my team again if this happens.
— Adam Bray (@BrayAv1510) May 9, 2020
How does this save the EFL? Replacing clubs that go bust with B teams will just quickly kill off the pyramid. Whatever happens B teams are not the answer
— Tim Cotton (@TimCotton81) May 9, 2020
Shockingly bad idea!
— graham w (@grahamw1010) May 9, 2020
Is Dan Ashworth Donald Trump’s alter ego?
In the recent history of FA Premier Greed bad ideas, this is THE worst!
— Darryl Cornick (@DazOAFC72) May 9, 2020
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