Rochdale 3,681 Sutton United 1,092 Altrincham 879 FC Halifax Town 471 Boston United 386 Aldershot Town 272 Woking 222 Braintree Town 123 Wealdstone 93
Dale just let people in for free, not that I went to it. From memory for a comparable paid for EFL Trophy game there would usually be about 750 in.
After a few rounds, what are your thoughts on this competition? Are you warming to it at all? Also are the group stages now finished?
We’ve only just played our first group game this week so I don’t think the group stages are quite done yet. Our team on Tuesday consisted of players returning from injury, academy players and players who haven’t been starting league games recently, so playing wise it was a relatively useful exercise. In an attempt to get some interest in the game the club gave away some tickets to local schools apparently. And the kids seemed to have a good time, hopefully they’ll be back for a proper game. But the underlying feeling that this is a net negative remains.
The money you make should not be sniffed at, at least £75k possibly £100k+ of you get to the knockouts, surprising clubs at this level can turn down that sort of money for what is a reserve team fixture.
Sure, but I wonder how much it's costs operationally to run one of the fixtures, example Wealdstone had 93 paying attendees for their game (which is to be applauded in this case IMO) surely they didn't make money putting this fixture on? (Stand to be corrected absolutely btw)
It's not a reserve fixture though. The rules dictate a minimum number of first team players. Clubs at this level can't turn down money, no. But we mostly have smaller squads than the FL and PL. Fatigue and Injury from extra games are a real risk of derailing a season. If we finish in the POs and go up that's potentially worth millions. If we miss out due to crocking a player Vs a PL U12s side the £75k isn't worth it. Still surprised we have even joined it and hope if we're still down here next season we refuse.
What are the rules on who can be selected in this tournament? We made 11 changes to our starting XI on Tuesday from our previous league game albeit 7 of Tuesdays starters were on the bench on Saturday - our other 4 starters included 2 players returning from injury, an academy player and a trialist. I know the EFL trophy had a rule about team changes, does the same apply here?
Would cost us more than that to put on the games. I also wouldn't want us take part out of principle if we had the choice
For a small club like ourselves, it’s done the job, management team certainly think so. Game time for fringe players, blooded a few academy boys, played some trailists in match games and so far earned 28k. I have been to two of the three games so far and they have been enjoyable watches.
