Premier League and National League in talks over new cup competition featuring under-21 sides

[Richard Petty]

It's a start they wouldn't let B teams enter the football league ,so they'll go for the next best thing . The conference board are stupid enough to let it happen.

Whilst I am completely against this competition as it seems pointless I don't understand where you are seeing any connection to league football. This is a cup competition nothing to do with the league

It's a start Richard what's to stop them in a couple of seasons time asking to put 4 teams into the National league . This cup is to test the waters .

That would even more pointless than this daft cup idea.

[SteveyAsp]

The High Sheriff Of Surrey looking for his next appointment via the Premier League to feed his ego.

[Gone West]

Anybody asked the players what they want? They already play a 46 game league season + FAC + FAT + County Cup. Sometimes less is definitely more.
From a fan, meaningful matches once or sometimes twice a week feels like enough.

[Wokingham Shot]

Asked the players?
But the sound of it the NL board haven't even asked the other club owners!!

[Old Bob]

It's a start they wouldn't let B teams enter the football league ,so they'll go for the next best thing . The conference board are stupid enough to let it happen.

Whilst I am completely against this competition as it seems pointless I don't understand where you are seeing any connection to league football. This is a cup competition nothing to do with the league

It's a start Richard what's to stop them in a couple of seasons time asking to put 4 teams into the National league . This cup is to test the waters .

The problem is that the ultra-rich PL clubs hoover up all the young talent they can lay their hands on to stop rivals getting them. They then have a problem providing them with competitive games in which they can develop because they have to play their expensive stars in league matches. What they can learn playing against other youngsters is limited. Hence the mushrooming of the bloody awful loan system. This daft idea is just the lastest wheeze to give young players game time

They know full well that the vast majority are not going to make it as star players, but provided they get one Phil Foden or Bukayo Saka among them, they don't care about the others.

[Peter macdonald]

Football is fast becoming a joke and cricket not to far behind with all this shortened one day crap

[Derek Duvall]

Football is fast becoming a joke and cricket not to far behind with all this shortened one day crap

I would have to agree Peter

[Skeleton Bob]

As a cautionary tale, the Lowland league in Scotland included a couple of SPL B teams, Hearts and Celtic with the same goal in mind. A few years later this is seen as a bit of a disaster. A poor idea.

Why do you say "a few years later"? It was an obvious disaster from day 1.

And, correct me if I’m wrong, the SPL B teams can’t be promoted.
Would it be the same for the Premier League kids’ teams in this diluted FA Cup?
Just imagine a 2027-28 FA Cup final between, say, Leicester City kids and Brighton kids - no romance, few fans, little interest and no point whatsoever.

[Fuggletim]

So if scrapping FA Cup replays was seemingly proposed to ease fixture congestion and then someone thinks about introducing a new competition? Where on earth does that logic fit in? Am I missing something?

[sugrues flying headbutt]

As a cautionary tale, the Lowland league in Scotland included a couple of SPL B teams, Hearts and Celtic with the same goal in mind. A few years later this is seen as a bit of a disaster. A poor idea.

Why do you say "a few years later"? It was an obvious disaster from day 1.

And, correct me if I’m wrong, the SPL B teams can’t be promoted.
Would it be the same for the Premier League kids’ teams in this diluted FA Cup?
Just imagine a 2027-28 FA Cup final between, say, Leicester City kids and Brighton kids - no romance, few fans, little interest and no point whatsoever.

Correct, the SPL B teams cannot be promoted.

Given what has just happened with Buckie Thistle who do not have the SFA Bronze License, and have been booted out of the Lowland League vs Highland League promotion play off (see https://www.scottishfa.co.uk/news/scott ... %20licence.) very few teams seem to be equipped to go up.

At times Scottish football makes the English game look highly professional and free of corruption.

[C_Rage]

Terrible idea this... Theres no glamour or fun in beating an under 21 team. Pointless idea to try and soften the blow..

How do they think this would replace the memories created when playing proper teams in the FA Cup. Madness

[Old Bob]

So if scrapping FA Cup replays was seemingly proposed to ease fixture congestion and then someone thinks about introducing a new competition? Where on earth does that logic fit in? Am I missing something?

You are not missing anything, Tim. It's the FA, PL, and NL dumbkopfs who are missing something ... their balls and their marbles.

[Fuggletim]

[Sean Chambers]

National League x Premier League U21 competition WILL go ahead

Top 16 clubs in NL + 16 PL U21 sides would be split into 4 groups of 8

Suggested it will then progress to a knockout competition, like EFL Trophy.

[CH]

National League x Premier League U21 competition WILL go ahead

Top 16 clubs in NL + 16 PL U21 sides would be split into 4 groups of 8

Suggested it will then progress to a knockout competition, like EFL Trophy.

Boycott it. Pathetic idea