Proposed competition with Premier League U23

[b4life]

The FSA have asked for our opinion on the proposed new competition between the National League's top 16 clubs and 16 Premier League U23 sides, so here's your chance to have your say. We'll consolidate the responses onto one response.

[John Hunt]

. .

[John Hunt]

I think it represents additional fixtures and cost to fans that are unnecessary. The fixtures will be deprioritised by managers and poorly attended. It may put a strain on some team's pitches that they can do without.

I am looking forward to what positives others will take from this competition.

I thought that it was done and dusted rather than proposed.

[jerroll]

The main question is what benefit is there in it for the National League teams both financially and will there be a showcase final at a prestigious ground? If this a ploy to reduce solidarity payments then for me it doesn't work.
It seems a way to try and get u21/23 teams from premier league clubs more competitive games without offering an benefit to the National league clubs. Additional fixtures in an already busy schedule plus the extra wear and tear on pitches like Halifax, Gateshead that had issues last season doesn't add up to me.

[rudebwoyben]

It’s a load of rubbish.
It devalues the principle that clubs are equal.

[antbfc]

dreadful idea that unless there is significant prize money will likely cost clubs money. The crowds will be abysmal and it simply raises the chances of players picking up an injury.

[pletch99]

Positive - it allows clubs to give game time to squad players

It's been poorly communicated and I've not seen any formal announcement on format etc, so this response is based on what I believe to be the case.

1) Only 16/24 National League clubs will participate - that's not fair - I can see pros and cons for the clubs taking part vs those not, but it should either be all NL clubs or no clubs.

2) More workload on players - rumor says clubs will have to field a minimum number of players from the last league fixture and I think that's unacceptable, during a relentless league campaign.

3) I would imagine gates will be very small with only the hardcore attending. I MIGHT swerve this one and I consider myself fairly hard core, will clubs even cover their costs.

4) Rumor says all games will be played at a NL ground, which isn't balanced and doesn't provide fans with the opportunity to visit new venues.

5) It's not clear what NL clubs will get out of it - the communications and announcement of this tournament has been appalling.

On balance I think this tournament is a terrible idea, but being a football addict I can't quite promise I'm going to boycott the games!

[ninestein]

One positive, is NL clubs get to see potential loan signings facing them first hand. Not a benefit in terms of gate money on the day, but it could showcase young talent who could do a job for us on loan, and develop an off field relationship between clubs.

Has the format been decided yet, and when is the competition drawn?

[LeytonBee]

It's an unattractive proposition for fans and doesn't make up for the loss of FA Cup replays.

It's lunacy to pile on more fixtures over the winter when last year without the addition of this Mickey mouse tournament there was brutal fixture congestion.

Even setting aside the impact on pitches and clubs with smaller squads , it seems like only the premier clubs benefit from the arrangement, unless there is also additional cash on top of likely paltry gate receipts going to the NL clubs.

[Mikel Bee]

It ranks somewhere between the Middlesex Senior Cup and a pre season friendly in terms of interest for me.

Having a mini league competition within a league campaign seems like a lot of extra effort for little gain. Is this a prize worth winning?

An FA Cup plus a Trophy Run, as we have had in previous seasons has been hard enough on the players, this only adds games. We could be using those midweeks to get through league games and avoid the inevitable fixture pile up in the spring.

[pletch99]

I personally like the FA Trophy and believe we should field a strong side (not necessarily unchanged) and I would be upset if I turned up and it was a team of bit part players and youth teamers.

This new competition we should field a team that meets the requirements of the competition but aims to only play players who need minutes. I may turn up, but I won't be upset if the side we field is weak.

[letchbee94]

Silly having it in November.
They say it for losing fa cup replays but not every team get a cup replay anyway.

[Tuesds]

It’s insulting. Senior teams representing proud professional football clubs forced to be practice fodder for youth teams. National League clubs exist in the same football pyramid as the Premier League clubs but that principle of being part of the same system is undermined by having us served up for training exercises for their kids.

[becbee]

I am just hoping that fans vote with their feet and it gets shelved after this season. I certainly don't intend to watch.

[LeytonBee]

It’s insulting. Senior teams representing proud professional football clubs forced to be practice fodder for youth teams. National League clubs exist in the same football pyramid as the Premier League clubs but that principle of being part of the same system is undermined by having us served up for training exercises for their kids.

Great comment