Posted on 23rd September 2016
The Premier League has announced a new funding scheme for National League system clubs and those in the women’s game. Grants totalling £16m are available between now and the end of the season.
EFL clubs block Premier League B-teams
This is a story from the FSF archive – the FSF and SD merged to become the FSA in 2019.
The 72 EFL clubs have put an end to the idea of Premier League B-teams competing in the EFL system.
Representatives from the clubs met with EFL officials yesterday (September 22nd) to discuss the proposals within the Whole Game Solution.
The possibility of Premier League B-teams playing in a revamped English Football League was put to end, as was the prospect of Scottish teams, such as Celtic and Rangers, also entering the new league structure.
This effectively meaning that new sides entering into the EFL would have to come from the National League.
In a statement published yesterday, EFL Chief Executive Shaun Harvey said: “At the very outset of this process it was made clear that any decisions in respect of the future direction of the Whole Game Solution would be taken by clubs themselves and our announcement today comes as a result of their valued input.”
Harvey also reiterated the EFL’s desire to talk to supporters about the proposals. He said: “The next round of consultation will also see us undertake some work with fan groups and other stakeholders to ensure that those people who are invested in the future our game are given an opportunity to register their views.”
A number of clubs and supporter organisations have commented on the proposals – with most setting out their opposition to the idea of B-Teams, a winter break, moving FA Cup fixtures to midweek and regionalisation of the bottom two divisions.
Additionally, FSF affiliates across the EFL polled their memberships on the plans and held discussions with their clubs.
FSF deputy chair Martin O’Hara said: “One of the positives to come out of this is clubs talking to their supporters.
“We’ve seen evidence of that over the last couple of weeks – clubs speaking to their supporters, asking them what they want, what they think is important. That’s a good thing.”
Martin was pleased to see the clubs reject the concept of B-Teams playing in the EFL but wanted to know more about the rest of the proposals.
“The two most unpopular ideas, B-teams and the winter break, have gone,” he said. “There was no appetite for these. That’s a victory for common sense.
“I’d like to see a lot more detail – how is this going to work? How would regionalisation be implemented? How would the promotions and relegations be handled?
“There are of lot of questions still to be answered.”
The FSF and representative supporters from across the country will be meeting with the EFL next month.
Thanks to Action Images for the picture used in this news story.
