The National League Cup is just the latest example of supporters being ignored in the pursuit of money - and the Premier League always getting what they want.
Back in April, National League chief Mark Ives surprised many by backing the Premier League’s push to abolish FA Cup replays, positioning himself as a convenient mouthpiece for the elite clubs.
Today, the true motivation behind his stance—and the quid pro quo deal—has finally come to light.
Ives claimed that scrapping replays would ease fixture congestion and protect player welfare. Yet, with the announcement of the new ‘National League Cup’, 16 National League sides will now face up to seven extra games, competing against Premier League U21 teams for a £1m prize pot—courtesy of the Premier League.
Once again, it’s clear that the Premier League’s influence continues to infiltrate every level of the game, throwing money around to secure whatever outcome they desire.
Figures like Ives love to romanticize non-league football when it suits them, but this competition does nothing more than deepen the divide between Step 1 and the rest of the pyramid. Ives seems eager to play the role of a mini-Richard Masters, overseeing his own mini-Premier League.
Supporters nationwide voiced their opposition to the removal of FA Cup replays, and the reaction to today’s announcement has been overwhelmingly negative. Fans of Football League clubs have already turned their backs on a similar setup in the EFL Trophy, where fixtures against Premier League Academy sides routinely draw fewer than 1,000 attendees.
But for those running the game, fan sentiment means nothing. Money is the only language they speak.
This week, UEFA expressed concern that the introduction of the Independent Football Regulator (IFR) in England could "undermine established football structures." But for many supporters, this so-called threat to the ‘established structures’ is precisely the reform the game urgently needs.
At our club, we remain a staunch advocate for good governance in football. We believe that the voices of supporters should not be ignored. If you share our values and want to stand with us, consider joining us as a co-owner and add your voice to the fight.