As part of the Gloverscast’s Associate Membership of the Football Supporters Association we’ve been contacted for some views from supporters on a couple of bits that are going to impact National League clubs and football in general in the next few months.
In April the Athletic revealed discussions had taken place for the top 16 teams in the National League Premier to play 16 under-21 teams from the Premier League. Last weekend the Non League Paper reported that the National League Clubs have been told that competition will kick-off this season and is likely to being in November.
Here’s what we know about the competition:
- 16 clubs from National League and 16 Premier League Academy sides will enter and EFL Trophy style cup.
- There will be four regional groups of eight teams.
- Group games will only be between National League and Premier League teams. The top two will qualify for quarter finals.
- National League Clubs will host group and knockout matches until the final.
- Matches will be available on National League TV.
So, what are your thoughts about the competition? Are you supportive? Who will benefit? There’s a quick snap poll below, but share any comments below.
Loading ...Independent football regulator
The second is around the introduction of the Football Governance Bill which looks set to be introduced by Labour after work done by Tracey Crouch in the previous Government.
A very top line summary of the bill indicates that the regulator would:
- Create a statutory, strengthened owners’ and directors’ tests to make sure a club’s custodians are suitable and protect fans from irresponsible owners. The tests will consist of 3 key elements: a fitness test (owners and directors), a source of wealth test (owners only), and a requirement for financial plans and resources (owners only).
- Enhanced financial regulation to improve the financial resilience of clubs across the football pyramid, ensuring that clubs take sensible financial decisions and risks are mitigated so they do not jeopardise the club’s future.
- Placing fan engagement requirements on clubs and requiring clubs to comply with heritage protections. This will require clubs to have a framework in place to regularly meet a representative group of fans to discuss key strategic matters at the club, and other issues of interest to supporters (including club heritage).
- Require clubs to seek approval if they propose a sale or relocation of their home ground.
- Prevent English clubs from joining breakaway or unlicensed leagues.
- Introduce a backstop power to intervene in the distribution of broadcast revenue where necessary (subject to certain thresholds being met).
- Establish a ‘Football Club Corporate Governance Code’. Clubs will be required to report on corporate governance, setting out how they are applying the code.
With all that, let us know on this poll and if you have any other thoughts comment below.
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