EFL Trophy packing them in!!

[RammyClaret61]

Another pointless competition from the football league.
Grimsby v Sunderland played out in front of a “crowd” of 248 with 7 visitors from Sunderland! I’m betting that game didn’t make a profit.

[piston broke]

Were the 7 Blunderland supporters segregated? And how many stewards did they need?

[harpers_perm]

When Grimsby are in the Premier League in 15 years there will be 12,000 fans on their ‘Up the Mariners’ forum saying they were there.

[ClaretTony]

Another pointless competition from the football league.
Grimsby v Sunderland played out in front of a “crowd” of 248 with 7 visitors from Sunderland! I’m betting that game didn’t make a profit.

They've damaged the competition with the introduction of under-21 teams. Supporters have led boycotts of the games and that has certainly worked looking at some of the attendances. There was one last season - Fleetwood v Blackburn under-21s - and they were charging £20 admission. It's a competition that we all know was more than worthwhile back in 1988 that's been completely ruined by the Football League.

Were the 7 Blunderland supporters segregated? And how many stewards did they need?

They were segregated in the away end from the pictures I saw.

[bumba]

We should scrap every domestic professional cup apart from the FA cup and have one big British trophy. Itd generate more interest an more money for clubs across Britain

[ClaretTony]

We should scrap every domestic professional cup apart from the FA cup and have one big British trophy. Itd generate more interest an more money for clubs across Britain

I don't think the Football League would be happy with that, nor all the other leagues in the pyramid.

[RammyClaret61]

I believe it was a fiver to get on at Grimsby.

[Melbourneclaret]

Bbc reported it was actually only 3 from sunderland

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/41922973" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[ClaretTony]

Bbc reported it was actually only 3 from sunderland

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/41922973" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Believe it or not, Grimsby reported three initially but it was seven on a recount.

[RammyClaret61]

Well the bbc left hand obviously doesnt know what it’s right hand is doing. Here’s another story about 2 others!!

http://m.bbc.com/sport/football/41931184" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Grimsby Claret]

I was told by a fan that several hundred Grimsby fans went to watch Cleethorpes Town who were playing at home the same night.
Grimsby normally average 4,000 +
Thats what I call a Boycott, unlike the one staged at Blackburn against the Venkeys recently.

[Blackrod]

As mentioned above adding U21 teams completely devalues the competition. This was discussed on here at the time and this was the general view. Who on earth makes these stupid decisions ?

[claptrappers_union]

I remember being very disappointed when we lost the Windscreens Shield semi final to Grimsby. It a good little competition to see a Football League club enjoy a trip to Wembley. Its like the League Cup where no-one appears to care in the early round but the fan and players are celebrate like mad when they win it.

But the integrity has certainly been taken away from it with the introduction of the Academies.

Just done a quick Wiki, here are all the Premier League and Championship clubs who have been involved since last season - is there not an an opportunity there to have another cup competition with just those clubs?

Blackburn Rovers
Derby County
Leicester City
Middlesbrough
Norwich City
Reading
Southampton
Stoke City
Sunderland
Swansea City
West Ham United
Wolverhampton Wanderers
Brighton & Hove Albion
Chelsea
Everton
Fulham
Manchester City
Newcastle United
Tottenham Hotspur
West Bromwich Albion

[Sidney1st]

7 on a recount?

[TheFamilyCat]

Believe it or not, Grimsby reported three initially but it was seven on a recount.

It was three Sunderland fans - then four Grimsby lads went in to do 'em.

They'll be talking about the night they took the Mackems for years to come!

[Jimmymaccer]

I read a report somewhere that an old bloke, a Leeds fan asked his grandson, a Sunderland fan if he fancied a night out as they get on so well together, so they went!

Good on’em.....the lad said he tried to start a chant with the other few there and the stewards joined in (singing, not kicking the fek out of them!).

That’s why we love football!

[Garnerssoap]

Once drove up to Hartlepool in my mums mini metro on a wet wednesday night for a Sherpa van preliminary round (not even first round proper) match. Genuinely thought I'd be be able to tell my mates I was the only claret there. 500 of you bastards turned up to ruin it
We lost and big vince did his knee.
Great night

[RammyClaret61]

Once drove over to chesterfield on a snowy night for a Frieght rover/ autoglass, whatever it was called then. Only 13 Clarets in the away end, not sure if any in the stand. Can’t remember the result.

[Dazzler]

RammyClaret61"]Once drove over to chesterfield on a snowy night for a Frieght rover/ autoglass, whatever it was called then. Only 13 Clarets in the away end, not sure if any in the stand. Can’t remember the result

We won 2-1 with goals from Alan Taylor and the Mighty Les Lawrence.

Att-1,053

[Dazzler]

Once drove up to Hartlepool in my mums mini metro on a wet wednesday night for a Sherpa van preliminary round (not even first round proper) match. Genuinely thought I'd be be able to tell my mates I was the only claret there. 500 of you bastards turned up to ruin it
We lost and big vince did his knee.
Great night

According to this it was the First Round -Northern Section and we won 2-0.

http://www.rsssf.com/tablese/engassmemb ... tml#round1" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[bumba]

I don't think the Football League would be happy with that, nor all the other leagues in the pyramid.

Why wouldn't they?

Itd only be the checkatrde trophy which get low attendance's and the carabao cup that gets switched to a British cup.

The football pyramid below that wouldn't be effected because they'd still have there cups because they arent professional cups

[ClaretTony]

Why wouldn't they?

Itd only be the checkatrde trophy which get low attendance's and the carabao cup that gets switched to a British cup.

The football pyramid below that wouldn't be effected because they'd still have there cups because they arent professional cups

Because you would be scrapping every cup competition run by the various leagues in the country. That includes the League Cup, and there are professional teams all the way down the pyramid.

[cricketfieldclarets]

There are only league clubs in the leafue cup who would still be eligible for a uk version. Would make for more entertaining competition than the league cup or efl cup.

Would love to see us playing against teams from scotland. Especially away.

[bumba]

Because you would be scrapping every cup competition run by the various leagues in the country. That includes the League Cup, and there are professional teams all the way down the pyramid.

I know they are professional clubs all the way down the pyramid but they arent allowed to enter professional cups until in league 2 and above so they wouldn't be affected at all.

As said above itd be the two cups I've mentioned that would be stopped to run a British cup. Do it in a league format so all get two ganes minimum against teams around the UK. Attendance's would be high, competition an standard higher, TV revenue higher.

[ClaretTony]

they arent allowed to enter professional cups until in league 2 and above so they wouldn't be affected at all.

Yes they are. The FA Trophy for one is a major competition for non-league clubs and there are others. They are all professional cups.

Basically, you are suggesting that every league in the country scraps its cup competitions so the FA can run one big FA Cup, which they do already.

[ClaretTony]

they arent allowed to enter professional cups until in league 2 and above so they wouldn't be affected at all.

Yes they are. The FA Trophy for one is a major competition for non-league clubs and there are others. They are all professional cups.

Basically, you are suggesting that every league in the country scraps its cup competitions so the FA can run one big FA Cup, which they do already.

[claptrappers_union]

As said above itd be the two cups I've mentioned that would be stopped to run a British cup. Do it in a league format so all get two ganes minimum against teams around the UK. Attendance's would be high, competition an standard higher, TV revenue higher.

Thousands will watch Newcastle United v Rangers and Celtic v Man Utd, I cant imagine Accrington Stanley v Ross County attracting many.

Low attendances are a response to clubs not taking the competition seriously in the early rounds. Also, I believe If the early League Cup rounds where part of a season ticket package and played at weekend more people would go.

Remember it’s only the early rounds that are poorly attended, once you get to Round 4 that’s where it picks up.

FA Cup and League Cup are fine. FL Trophy needs resetting to its simpler format with just the L1 & L2 clubs competing.

[ClaretTony]

Remember it’s only the early rounds that are poorly attended, once you get to Round 4 that’s where it picks up.

As we saw with the FL Trophy (then Sherpa Van) in 1988. That was a brilliant competition for the two lower leagues and should still be.

[cricketfieldclarets]

But its not been for years. All cups seem to be dying a death and need revamping. Chasing 4th is the prize even for the big clubs

[Quickenthetempo]

When we sort our academy out and to a decent standard I would like us to enter the competition. Brilliant experience for them to play against mens teams with something riding on the result.

[cricketfieldclarets]

100 percent. Much like what pope said about benefitting by playing non league against men.

[bumba]

Yes they are. The FA Trophy for one is a major competition for non-league clubs and there are others. They are all professional cups.

Basically, you are suggesting that every league in the country scraps its cup competitions so the FA can run one big FA Cup, which they do already.

Why are you being awkward? You know full well i only mean two cups which are ONLY entered by league two an above teams!

The FA trophy would still run, i don't class it as a professional cup at all either the majority of teams entering it are a semi pro.

The FA cup is a knockout competition round by round i said do it as a league at first read the posts properly before being argumentative tony

[ClaretTony]

Why are you being awkward? You know full well i only mean two cups which are ONLY entered by league two an above teams!

If you mean that, then it's a different argument but you posted: "We should scrap every domestic professional cup," which is a lot more than two competitions.

I still don't agree with you, certainly not on the League Trophy. Run properly, that gives lower division clubs a chance of glory and a trip to Wembley.

The League Cup has just been reduced to farce this year by Shaun Harvey, the Football League's resident buffoon.

[bumba]

If you mean that, then it's a different argument but you posted: "We should scrap every domestic professional cup," which is a lot more than two competitions.

I still don't agree with you, certainly not on the League Trophy. Run properly, that gives lower division clubs a chance of glory and a trip to Wembley.

The League Cup has just been reduced to farce this year by Shaun Harvey, the Football League's resident buffoon.

Yes every domestic professional cup, you cannot call the FA trophy a professional cup its entered by national league and below the majority in the competition are semi pro. England is classed as having four professional leagues.

To make cups more interesting id also only give two champions league places to the top two in the premiership, id give one to the FA cup winners and one to whoever wins the League cup as it currently stands.

Then just give the remaining Europa league places to the league. Clubs would have to take the cups seriously then

[ClaretTony]

Yes every domestic professional cup, you cannot call the FA trophy a professional cup its entered by national league and below the majority in the competition are semi pro. England is classed as having four professional leagues.

Not any more it's not and hasn't been for some time. Even a club such as Guiseley have recently gone completely full time and the FA Trophy is very much a professional cup. We haven't had an amateur cup now for years in this country. Yes, the FA Trophy is for National League clubs and below but there are a good number who are full time.

That's where the confusion came, your understanding and my understanding of which leagues, clubs and cups are professional.

[Wilson Drake]

No competition there..

[Herts Clarets]

Once drove over to chesterfield on a snowy night for a Frieght rover/ autoglass, whatever it was called then. Only 13 Clarets in the away end, not sure if any in the stand. Can’t remember the result.

There were more than 13 there. I went in a car with 4 others - Stevie2112 who posts on here was one of them, and he has the away following for that night. He features one of the great put downs to a Chesterfield fan - the sartorial 2112 was sporting a sheepskin jacket, think Motty and you will not be far off. In response to the jibes of 'he's got a sheep on his back', I heard 'better a sheep on my back than its usual place, on the end of your Dad's cock'. Said crooked spire fan slopes away sheepishly (pun 100% intended)