Quote Originally Posted by Beaufighter View Post
The way I view this trophy is this, even if I’m in a minority of 1.

When it started as the Associate members cup and for all the time it was only for L1 and L2 (or their equivalent) teams I was all for it. For many seasons I was frustrated that we never got anywhere in it, and in 96 I was as joyous at Wembley as any of the 20k that went to watch us.

When they talked of “expanding the competition” I thought ‘great, get the conference clubs in it as well’. But no, they went the other way and added Premier League juniors to it.

In the 80’s our reserves competed with the likes of Liverpool and Man Utd reserves in the Central League and used to do well. These days our FIRST team is expected to play against their JUNIORS! not even reserves. If that’s not a massive insult to a whole swathe of professional clubs, I don’t know what is.

A century ago County played in the Midland League and won it 4 times on the trot. Also in that league were Wednesday and Sheff Utd Reserves. Through sweat, toil and near bankruptcy RUFC earned the right to compete with these clubs as equals. Why the hell should any league club be deemed worthy of only facing an U21 side? As soon as this change was brought about, my interest in this competition was dead.
They did try with the top half of the conference clubs in mid 2000”s to fill the shortfall at least it was straight knock out and no byes or groups…but clubs said they was losing money by just hosting night games Against even less supported teams so they disbanded that idea…

Clubs had a vote on 3 options for future format the other year….the u21”s idea,keep it as it was with 8 byes both north and south to second round and the rest playing in first round.or disband the completion altogether….it was close until they suggested 10k a win with the u21”s included and that what they voted for…