‘Insulting our intelligence’ – Let’s applaud boycott of Premier League-backed competition
I applaud Eastleigh for taking the brave decision to withdraw from the newly created National League Cup. I only wish my own team, Woking FC, had done the same thing.
In case you missed it, a new 32-club regionalised midweek competition has been created which will see 16 Premier League U21 teams take on 16 National League teams in a group stage/knockout format.
It begins in October and runs through to April with the first round of fixtures including Tottenham, Stoke City and Newcastle United.
I can say with confidence right now that it will provide no benefits whatsoever to National League clubs and will more likely derail the ambitions of many of us.
In a joint statement from the Premier League and National League, it’s said that the competition 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 benefit for the non league teams involved is ‘an opportunity 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.’
They say National League Clubs will get to keep all the gate receipts, but the truth is they’ll probably be pretty scarce. Are people really going to be tempted out into cold November nights when the Champions League is on to watch what should probably be pre-season friendlies?
Most people I’ve spoken to have already called this out for what it is because they see it exactly for what it is. Training exercises for academy kids which will in turn burn out National League regulars in an already busy calendar.
We’ve all heard that before, sure, but the pressures are even more acute further down the pyramid.
