For those who are interested, the saga continues:
Hello Jack,
Thanks for your reply.
The current format of the competition was voted for by our member clubs. The EFL operates a democratic membership structure whereby our members can vote for regulations and competition changes. Collectively, as has been reported, they agreed to one-season trial for 2016/17 and then, following a period of review, a continuation of that format (with some amendments), at the start of this season.
We should clarify that the EFL is not profit making, in the sense that finances are used to run our competitions and to share and distribute prize monies to our members.
The reason why EFL clubs are not permitted to name starting XI of all U21 players is because the Checkatrade Trophy is primarily a first team EFL competition, and in effect, for our clubs it is a continuation of the same competition that came before (Johnstone’s Paint Trophy). Therefore the U21 Category One teams are invited to participate in an EFL competition, hence the rules regarding selection criteria differ. It is important to try to establish a balance but again, this framework was discussed and agreed by our members.
By way of some context, it was accepted that the previous format of the Trophy was struggling and hence, the trial period and prize fund incentive was intended to provide enhanced support to clubs and reinvigorate the competition. The new Checkatrade Trophy format contributed to a prize fund of £1.95 million in the 2016/17 season, compared to the previous season’s £478k. Last season clubs accumulated over £750,000 in prize money from the group stages alone with the introduction of £10,000 for a win and £5,000 for a draw. Around 96% of League One and Two Clubs received prize money in the competition compared to only 52% in the 2015/16 season and this season for the first time 100% of clubs received prize money of some form. Inevitably this is clearly of benefit for clubs and to provide a few examples Peterborough, Lincoln and Forest Green and several others are using these finances to cover such things as first team travel costs for a number of league fixtures, completion of 3G training pitches, contributing to training ground redevelopments, and in enhancing in-stadia catering and entertainment facilities for fans. You can read more about this here
www.efl.com/news/2018/january/efl-clubs-benefit-from-checkatrade-trophy/.
Of course, we are aware of some of the fan sentiment around the competition and recognise that some attendances last season weren’t where we or our clubs wanted them to be, however there has been a significant increase in attendances this season, with overall like for like attendances up by 17% along with the aforementioned increase in opportunities for young players throughout the game. Naturally the early stages of cup competitions can result in lower attendances than a club would normally get for league fixtures, this being true for other competitions such as in the first and second rounds of the FA Cup for example. In addition, while there have been some notably high attendances in many EFL Trophy finals over the years, this is always impacted by the clubs who reach the final, with some clubs having larger fanbases than others. This is also borne out in our League One and Two Play-Off Final for example.
That said, we have got Checkatrade Trophy competition feedback from supporters by way of our formal structured engagement sessions with representatives of Football Supporters Federation and Supporters Direct, and directly at our Fan Forum events last and this season, and along with our clubs we will continue to note all constructive feedback in the context of any future discussions on the competition.
Once again thank you for contacting the EFL with your feedback.
Regards,
Andrew Pomfret
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Hello Andrew,
Thanks for getting back to me, firstly I want to thank you for all of your thought through replies - my original email was purely to vent frustration rather than anything else. However, I must comment that I do believe you should go into politics as you have only really answered 1 of my questions and have chosen to point out any positive (where possible) the EFL believes in.
Which leads me onto the first point that really, if the EFL really believes that this competition is working so well, then never before have you been further away from the fan base of EFL teams.
I accept your answer to why we cannot play younger players in the competition, but you have not addressed as to why these U-21 teams can play 5 players over 21. If it is under 21, it should be U-21. Again, I'd like to refer to my point of the Chelsea squad that can compete in the competition (Hazard, Kante, Pedro, Morata & Fabregas could all focus in the same game of this competition).
Whilst very nice that you have raised competition money, firstly, you have raised the prize money that suit what the EFL wants. Why didn't you raise the prize money for keeping it the same format? I have asked this before, but it was ignored. Now let's look at how this new system really benefits clubs, shall we? To do this, we need to look at a game where it was the same teams playing each other. Luckily enough I managed to find one for you!:
Old Format: 7th October 2014. Portsmouth Vs Northampton. Attendance 5,853.
New Format: 2nd December 2017. Portsmouth Vs Northampton. Attendance 1,780.
Difference in fans = 4,073 less.
Portsmouth won the game in 2017 meaning the receive £10,000GBP. However, in the old format, if Portsmouth charged just £5 per fan on the difference of attendance (4,073x 5) they would have received £20,365. So not only have you annoyed the fans, you have actually lost Portsmouth money. Never mind if they actually charged people £10 attendance which is probably more likely, which would have been £40,760. So a £30,760 loss for Portsmouth. But the EFL will sing praises how this is better for Portsmouth now to play against 5 players above the age of 21 from the Chelsea squad.
If you're looking for suggestions (if you actually are and aren't just nodding along) then here are some (based on the fact that no matter what happens, the EFL will carry on wish this pathetic and insulting format) ;
Allow EFL clubs to play whoever they want (after all the competition is for EFL clubs, NOT U-21 clubs)
Create a rule that these invited teams can only play players that are 21 or under.
Create a rule that these invite teams can only play English players (after all, this was for English youth wasn't it?!)
Create an application process, where EFL teams in L1&L2 have to apply to be part of this competition. Those who don't take part will not benefit from the additional prize money & those who do, will benefit from a larger prize fund. If clubs start realizing that certain teams are making millions because others refuse to join, trust me, you'll see the directors of clubs start over-ruling fans & managers and they will enter & actually WANT to take part.
Looking forward to hearing from you,
Jack