Question National League Cup - will you attend?

[Morty01]

Earlier this year, it was revealed that the National League and the Premier League were working on a new cup competition - set to start in November.

16 National League sides will be pitted against 16 Category 1 academy sides in 4 regionalised groups of eight teams. In the group stage, only National League sides will play Academy sides. The top 2 from each group will qualify for the quarter finals. All National League clubs will play their 4 group stage matches at home.

This is as much info there is right now, but this, to me, just sounds like another EFL Trophy-type competition where sides will be punished for not fielding full strength teams.

 

[Shrimper]

Boycott. Academy sides have no place in organise first team competitions. This was also agreed in return for the scrapping of FA Cup replays from 3rd round. Well, the vote for the NL Chair

 

[WestyReturns]

Wouldn't be a fan of it but would still go as would help to provide the Club with more finances.

 

[bazzashrimper]

The big question for me is whether the semi finals will be played at Wembley or somewhere like villa park.

 

[Thundersley Blue]

I wouldn't go. I have a 150 mile round trip for Home Matches so couldn't justify the journey. Well at least until the latter stages, then would think again.

 

[ace]

Deffo if we play an U21 team

 

[Strykr]

Its bull****.

 

[Grayson]

Boycott. We should not play first team fixtures against academies.

 

[Smiffy]

The club will be losing money hosting these matches at RH. It will create a fixture pile up, destroy the pitches further and cause carnage with our small squad. I am totally against it and happy to boycott if that is the feeling.

 

[Somerset Ex-TTB]

Might get vaguely interested if we reach the last 4 and play other NL sides, other than that, not a chance.

 

[Hawkwell Blue]

The club will be losing money hosting these matches at RH. It will create a fixture pile up, destroy the pitches further and cause carnage with our small squad. I am totally against it and happy to boycott if that is the feeling.

Sadly I doubt boycotting this spurious competition will bother our friends at the NL in the slightest.

 

[EnglandShrimper]

Hopefully some away games with new grounds

 

[Wickford Blue]

If we increase our Squad then great opportunity to get some Minutes of the legs of people like George Wind....I would give it a go......I was one of the 641 Hady souls who watched the Game against Brighton U21s!!

 

[It'sGrimUpNorth]

Same journey for me as @Thundersley Blue so it’s a definite no for me.

 

[CMRandall92]

I initially voted yes having read the thread title and not the actual poll question. I'm definitely on the side of boycotting. The players and management staff I'm sure also see little to no point in these games taking place for all of the reasons above stated by Smiffy and Shrimper.

Wonder if others who've voted yes made the same mistake as me by not reading the poll question itself?

Otherwise I'm surprised and disappointed so many are willing to support a competition enforced upon us with no obvious benefits.

 

[Westcliff Shrimper]

Unsure as I really don't like the idea of it, but if we are playing at home and I'm free, I would possibly go.

Do we know when the games are likely to be?

 

[Suffolk Blue]

Another exile here - 190 mile round trip for home games. I'll make the effort for a meaningful evening fixture but not for these.

I just hope we don't pick up injuries, don't ruin the pitch, and don't lose too much money.

 

[Barry.C]

It sa 2 and a half hour round trip for me also , and varies considerably based on kick off time, and as has been my past experience whether roads and the bridge/tunnel is closed !!

So a No for me on that one let alone not happy with yet another mad , unnecessary competition


Having said that a brief rethink............I suspect I would probably weaken at the knees and heart , and cough the £9.99p to NL TV if available to see any of our youngsters perform if a number of them allowed to play

 

[londonblue]

I wouldn't go. I have a 150 mile round trip for Home Matches so couldn't justify the journey. Well at least until the latter stages, then would think again.

That's partly my issue, but I'm also not a big fan of reserve team football.

 

[Shrimper]

Hopefully some away games with new grounds

Think all games will be at NL grounds only, so no "new" grounds compared to the league