The EFL Trophy Thread

[Brox]

It was our supporters association AGM last night, one of our Directors was present and gave a little more detail as to why we voted in favour of B sides in the EFL Trophy. I didn't go but this was posted on our forum yesterday evening from someone that did attend:

Phil's view as explained by Stuart Dinsey is that it was and is a pretty meaningless trophy. Without a change it may have died. The EFL were forceful in explaining to the membership that if the deal wasn't accepted the PL drip down of money into the FL may not be quite as generous, (they never said as much but that is what they said in not so many words, 'a gun to the head' was how Stuart explained it to me 'Back this or take your chances')

Phil also obviously sees the money, if the the trophy ceased to be, we would lose a minimum of 2 home games in the group stages, maybe more if we actually managed to win, and the chances of a bit of TV exposure.

I'm not particularly fussed about the EFL Trophy and I won't be attending any matches regardless of how successful we are in the competition. I just hope we don't fold so easily next summer when faced with the same dilemma regarding B sides and League 3.

 

[TimeyWimey]

Starting to get bored of the same "gun to the head" excuse clubs use after such things. It's clear they will happily get fucked over by the Premier League for eternity.

Mind you, at least most clubs have explained their views. Crewe are still being spineless bastards (as per), apart from Dario Gradi who said it was a pointless exercise for the Prem clubs (but we don't listen to experts these days).

 

[King Kev]

It was our supporters association AGM last night, one of our Directors was present and gave a little more detail as to why we voted in favour of B sides in the EFL Trophy. I didn't go but this was posted on our forum yesterday evening from someone that did attend:

Phil's view as explained by Stuart Dinsey is that it was and is a pretty meaningless trophy. Without a change it may have died. The EFL were forceful in explaining to the membership that if the deal wasn't accepted the PL drip down of money into the FL may not be quite as generous, (they never said as much but that is what they said in not so many words, 'a gun to the head' was how Stuart explained it to me 'Back this or take your chances')

Phil also obviously sees the money, if the the trophy ceased to be, we would lose a minimum of 2 home games in the group stages, maybe more if we actually managed to win, and the chances of a bit of TV exposure.

I'm not particularly fussed about the EFL Trophy and I won't be attending any matches regardless of how successful we are in the competition. I just hope we don't fold so easily next summer when faced with the same dilemma regarding B sides and League 3.

As mentioned elsewhere, the EPL are a revolting, disgusting organisation

 

[Tom_CUFC]

http://www.againstleague3.co.uk/leaked-efl-trophy-details/

 

[JJ1532]

http://www.crewealex.net/news/article/2016-17/elf-trophy-format-confirmed-3170730.aspx

Confirmed details. What a truly horrendous proposal. Just flat out awful. What are these PL wonder kids going to get from playing 3-7 games against L1/L2 footballers? How is it going to impact their development in any way, shape or form? I can easily see some of the top academy teams going all the way to the final. Seeing some of the teams Man City/Chelsea have put out in the youth cup over the last few years makes me think they could beat most L1/L2 teams. And if they do do well, as is surely the hope, they will pocket all the prize money, which of course they desperately need. God, just thinking about some the potential games makes me want to throw up. And what's worse is, I can see some of these games getting decent crowds. Crewe Alex v Man Utd U21s would draw in a fair crowd. Even if not many Crewe fans attended, Man U fans will flock down, especially if a decent player is going to be appearing. Same with a reverse fixture. Plenty would go to watch Liverpool U21s v Bury at Anfield or Man City U21s v Rochdale at the Etihad.

However, the prize money is something that I think is the cruelest thing of all. Its like those England fans mocking those refugee kids in France. Its essentially the same thing here. The big boys with all their money are throwing pennies in front of a group of poor people. The poor people will sacrifice their dignity(seeing their teams smashed 4-0 by PL U21 teams) for the possibility of earning either gate receipt money or maybe getting the odd £5k/£10k for a draw or win. Accrington can't turn down the possibility of earning £30k out of the group stages alone, not to mention turning down a possible decent crowd for Accy v Man Utd U21s. Nor can a whole host of clubs at this level.

Be very interesting to see how this plays out. I can see it working unfortunately.

 

[Murphy]

Saw something which said Liverpool are set to reject the opportunity to play in it. What a message it would send out if all of the top clubs involved didn't take part.

Norwich would come in for Liverpool in the event what I've read is true.

 

[TimeyWimey]

Shaun Harvey, Chief Executive, full time businessman:
"The new format is intended to rejuvenate this competition and also assist the development of the very best young players in English football.This will help us deliver more and better home grown players which will deliver benefits to the national team and domestic league football at all levels."

Dario Gradi, Academy Director, lord and saviour, player development genius:
"I'm not sure what the advantage is for these boys. Is it playing more competitive games? I don't know. I think with all the Academy playing it's not the games that are the priority, it's the coaching and finding time for the coaching. If they play mid-week then it messes the whole week up. If they play on a Monday or Tuesday they can't do much on the days either side. They could perhaps to a bit on a Thursday but they're missing days. That's a problem and I don't know how they're going to solve it."

 

[That Fat Centre Half]

We have made a further statement, with regards to this:

http://www.lutontown.co.uk/news/article/2016-17/efl-trophy-luton-town-gary-sweet-3171964.aspx

The pertinent quote from that link
"However, eight days after the decision was made, the EFL were told that the Premier League were making a rule change regarding the eligibility criteria for their Development League to Under-23.

The EFL had to subsequently negotiate with the Premier League an alternative age-eligibility approach, and as a result, the competition rules now state that six Under-21 players have to feature in the 16 Premier League teams."

Seems as if the Premier League have changed the proposal of who is eligible to play in it after the vote took place which has pissed us off even more by the sound of it! Bit concerning that the Premier League can just dictate on something after it has been voted on.

 

[Brox]

Man Utd have turned down the invitation apparently
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/fo...otball-League-invite-play-new-EFL-Trophy.html

 

[JJ1532]

Excellent. Hope the other top clubs follow suit, will kill it dead in the water.

 

[Jamie_SFC]

Great memories of our 2010 win, hopefully we respect the competition and teams by refusing to put our U21 side in it.

 

[BeesKnees]

Man Utd have turned down the invitation apparently [emoji38]
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/fo...otball-League-invite-play-new-EFL-Trophy.html

Seen mentions that Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool may have followed suit

 

[Kenneth E End]

Man Utd have turned down the invitation apparently
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/fo...otball-League-invite-play-new-EFL-Trophy.html

Giggles. This is pretty damning though. Damning that they were invited and damning and embarrassing for the "EFL" that they prefer to play in the U21 League!

Notice that the "EFL" haven't signed any sponsorship deals for their two cup competitions. Their remarketing going well then.

 

[BigDaveCUFC]

to be fair though its clubs like man utd, chelsea and co would like this..................but for much other reasons, they want a full season of competative games not a token handful of worthless fixtures. so won't be tipping my hat to them for pulling out.

Still on the positive without them, Liverpool and chelsea this competition is dead and finished you wipe out pretty much the only sides which the armchair fans would bother to watch and a large percentage of the real fans are not going...........Think it may now be cancelled before season starts as the losses will be huge.

time me thinks for fans to push for resignation of the whole Football League board.

 

[BeesKnees]

I don't think it will be cancelled, there are other Cat 1 Academies that will accept. Wolves have already said they will take part if invited and so will others. Strangely this may end up as League 1/2 plus championship reserve sides, not quite the exciting new competition they tried to portray.

 

[Smudge]

Dont know how accurate that article is, as I heard the delay in announcing the actual format and subsequent changes from the initial announcement, were down to Liverpool and Man United not being keen to take part, so the EFL were negotiating these now changes for the participating Prem clubs.

I think its also interesting that they have binned off regionalisation after the 2nd round and the two legged semi final. Considering these were probably the only two things going in the competitions favour, I think that shows how out of touch the EFL are. Do they honestly think that for example, a third round game between Southend and Colchester, is less attractive for the fans involved, than either of those sets of fans being dragged up to play a game at a half empty Middlesbrough or Stoke?

 

[TimeyWimey]

So they announce it all before getting express interest from Premier League clubs themselves? That's hilarious.

Not so hilarious is the idea that the whole thing is at the mercy of the Premier League clubs taking part and already they seem to be calling the shots (hence age change) and will only lead to further pillaging of the Football League, whose negotiation skills amount to "yes sir, no sir, three bags full sir".

I sincerely hope fans go through with the boycott (but football fans being football fans, likelihood is slim) and at least a small number of clubs opposing the idea put up some kind of protest beyond "don't blame us" website statements.

 

[George Reilly's Hairpiece]

Option 1:

1) Put together a set of draft proposals on a new format for the Football League Trophy
2) Consult with the proposed invited clubs on the new proposals
3) Get agreement on the proposal from the invited clubs
4) Put the proposal to your members to vote on
5) Implement new proposal

Option 2

1) Invite a group of 4 year olds in to help draft new proposals for the Football League Trophy
2) Dismiss the 4 years olds when they suggest that this won't work and isn't needed
3) Cobble together a half-arsed proposal that has little substance or form and put it to your members
4) Get your members to vote on it
5) Be surprised when the invited clubs aren't falling over themselves to take part on the terms of the proposal
6) Be disappointed that the 4 year olds are no longer returning your calls
7) Scrabble around trying to get the invited clubs to compromise whilst placating those members that voted on something that has materially changed
8) Implement half-arsed competition

Option 3

1) Invite a group of 4 year olds in to help draft new proposals for the Football League Trophy
2) Throw idea out and reward working committee with jelly and ice-cream

 

[King Kev]

Shaun Harvey, Chief Executive, full time businessman:
"The new format is intended to rejuvenate this competition and also assist the development of the very best young players in English football.This will help us deliver more and better home grown players which will deliver benefits to the national team and domestic league football at all levels."

Dario Gradi, Academy Director, lord and saviour, player development genius:
"I'm not sure what the advantage is for these boys. Is it playing more competitive games? I don't know. I think with all the Academy playing it's not the games that are the priority, it's the coaching and finding time for the coaching. If they play mid-week then it messes the whole week up. If they play on a Monday or Tuesday they can't do much on the days either side. They could perhaps to a bit on a Thursday but they're missing days. That's a problem and I don't know how they're going to solve it."

If the slimeballs give a shite then they will use that thing between their heads and limit the amount of foreigners in the game. Oh we can't do that though it will damage sponsorship and tv rights.

 

[Kenneth E End]

Its utterly ludicrous that the EFL didn't even bother consulting with the clubs involved - heads have to roll.

 

[Smudge]

It seems now that Spurs have declined their invitation...this is going to be one glorious mess!

 

[Look Out There Are Llamas]

Someone needs a sacking.

 

[iWomble]

The EFL were forceful in explaining to the membership that if the deal wasn't accepted the PL drip down of money into the FL may not be quite as generous, (they never said as much but that is what they said in not so many words, 'a gun to the head' was how Stuart explained it to me 'Back this or take your chances')

So it seems the Football League used a non-existent threat, from teams that didn't want to be in the competition anyway, to bully our clubs into accepting ideas which originated not with the Premier League but with the Football League themselves.

Sacking's too good for 'em.

We all know about Shaun Harvey's history, yeah?

http://www.thescratchingshed.com/20...-harvey-joins-football-leagues-old-boys-club/

 

[Youpies]

So basically its going to be League One and Two teams, playing Championship reserve sides?

 

[Vanni]

What's wrong with that? I can't wait to visit Carrow Road or Portman Road

 

[JJ1532]

Against League 3 ‏@AgainstLeague3 1m1 minute ago
Now 6 rumoured clubs have declined - LIV, MANU, MANC, ARS, CHEL, TOT - a few more and The EFL will run out of category 1 clubs to ask.

Yep. There are currently 24 Category 1 academies and 6 of them have already been rumoured to have declined the invitation. Means that the invitation will have to drop down to teams like Derby, Blackburn, Fulham, BHA, Wolves etc. Excellent, killed before it even gets started. Fuck off Harvey! Fuck off EFL and your stupid pointless rebranding!

 

[dedwardp]

Against League 3 ‏@AgainstLeague3 1m1 minute ago
Now 6 rumoured clubs have declined - LIV, MANU, MANC, ARS, CHEL, TOT - a few more and The EFL will run out of category 1 clubs to ask.

Yep. There are currently 24 Category 1 academies and 6 of them have already been rumoured to have declined the invitation. Means that the invitation will have to drop down to teams like Derby, Blackburn, Fulham, BHA, Wolves etc. Excellent, killed before it even gets started. Fuck off Harvey! Fuck off EFL and your stupid pointless rebranding!

If it drops to Category Two can we enter it twice? Colchester United v Colchester United U21s would be a classic.

 

[Richard Cranium]

This is hilarious

 

[TimeyWimey]

You'd think it'd all have been ironed out before even going to the vote. If the Premier League are, apparently, putting up £1million then how was there not a general consensus as to whether Premier League clubs, especially the ones who any fair weather fan could give a rat's arse about, actually wanted this? Omnishambles.

 

[BigDaveCUFC]

I am starting to wonder if this was a brilliant fl scheme to murder b teams off for good. Set the rules so it doesn't at all suit what the big clubs want....but 'invite them anyway.........they all decline and from now on we can say they knocked it back