As clubs are going to be short on funds, prize money from cup games is going to be more important than ever. Even the EFL trophy (not popular among a lot of fans) has the potential for good prize money.
I am unsure if the FA think before they act ! The very minor competitions in which the EFL clubs are expected to participate, are a financial burden for most clubs. The matches are still subject to all the '' back-up'' staff , medical teams, officials, stewards etc etc, as required for 'normal' matches ( i.e. league ) ----- MANY of which barely allow clubs to break even ! The fans are not interested in the Paint Trophy style games - that is why only a handful of people bother to turn up. I doubt if there are (m)any managers who wold be sorry to see only the EFL & FA Cup competitions. It is obvious that the FA couldn't care less about fans outside the EPL. Next season, replays are being scrapped -- 'to reduce fixture congestion.' I would bet a lot of money on this arrangement becoming permanent - once all the EPL clubs apply pressure on the FA --- and so we lose another 'romantic' element of The Cup ! -- mind you, with the prize fund being halved to £1.8 Million, it would hardly cover the laundry bill for the elite teams !! And - let's not forget one of my favourite moans -- where I illustrate further, the lack of care from the FA, about any club outside the EPL - when you get league fixtures in the EFL arranged on Champions League nights -- no wonder the gates are so low --- and next season the impact on gates could be greater - as Gills will be playing 11 midweek fixtures (( even if I love night games )).
FA Cup Replays were always one of the big highlights of the season, especially for lower league supporters such as ourselves, and big money spinners. Those big nights, helped many a club over the decades, but as always football no longer cares. It probably needs action from supporters, but this won't happen either! Much like how UEFA rejcted more diversity recently...oh you didn't know? Not surprised, they wouldn't want it announced to loudly. But as long as the players wear BLM on their shirts then it's job done. I've highlighted the lack of diversity within football governing bodies, when they first announced their support for Black Lives Matter, yet it's long term affect will be as effective, as Kick Racism Out....oh did they forget about that campaign to! These are the sort of people we are dealing with; https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/53565875 Football Association chairman Greg Clarke says he is "disappointed" after claiming the professional game representatives on the FA board blocked a move to try to improve the diversity of its members. 26 Members, take a look, go on, just humour me... https://www.uefa.com/insideuefa/about-uefa/executive-committee/ What's my point, football has become rotten to the core.
The point always made about scrapping the lesser competitions such as the EFL trophy is perhaps not the way to go. The Carabao cup (league cup) is one we stand little chance of winning, and the prize money is pants. With the trophy you get £20,000 just for entering, £10,000 for each win in the group stages, regionalized so short travel distances. so a possible £50,000 for three short distance games. The Carabao cup could find you traveling 700 mile round trip, £5,000 prize if you win round 1, £7,000 prize for winning round 2, £10,000 for round 3. £22,000 total for travelling all over the country.
Oh! did I mention we could actually have a chance at winning the trophy, this could see us earn between £500,000 and £1,000,000.
grumpygit, whilst I understand your reasoning - the truth of the matter ( as illustrated by the lack of fans ), is that people are not interested in the small cup competitions. Also - the sums (( the realistic ones ), that you quote, will be dwarfed by the money-spinning opportunity that a replay at a Premiership club would bring - not to say the chance of the 'experience' involved for fans of L1 and L2. ...In my opinion, the FA have dramatically reduced the glamour of the FA Cup by scrapping replays................... and, please people, don't forget about my gripe about league fixtures on Champions League nights ! ---- all in all - the FA are doing no favours for fans and clubs outside the EPL.................... further illustrated by making them travel all over the country for scant reward with the likes of the Carabao cup - scrap this - NOT - FA Cup replays.
You make a good point The problem for me with the EFL Trophy, they have allowed the Prem B teams to participate. Oh and talking of which, our Southern Group.... Group B Arsenal Crawley Town Gillingham Ipswich Town So hang on, let me get this right, we get tied in with Ipswich, while West Ham get tied in with Portsmouth, and Southampton with Northampton, jeez this lot couldn't organise a....
Serious question - will Arsenal allow us to play the loanees ? -- after all, Coutinho played ( and scored 2 ), for Bayern against Barcelona (( he is contracted to Barca ))
It would normally be included in the loan agreement, especially if a player is loaned to another team in the same league.
