All National League clubs will cash in on new cup competition

Clubs in National League North and South will benefit financially from the newly-launched National League Cup. Ebbsfleet United are one of 16 National League teams who will take part in the competition alongside 16 under-21 teams from Premier League 2 sides. But the National League has confirmed that all 72 clubs will benefit financially from the £1million prize fund.

While the breakdown is not being made public by the league, it’s been confirmed that competing clubs will receive prize money based on performance and progression through the competition but all clubs – including the 48 at North and South – will receive funds from the prize pot. Despite only just avoiding relegation last season, and initially expecting to sit out the competition in its first year, Ebbsfleet have decided to take part. Originally, the format was set to be the top 16 National League teams to be involved but some clubs declined to take part, so it was offered further down the division.



Last season’s runners-up Barnet and fifth-placed Solihull Moors, who went on to reach the play-off final, have opted not to take part. Also declining to participate are Southend (9th), Hartlepool (12th), Eastleigh (13th), AFC Fylde (18th), York City (20th) and National League South champions Yeovil Town. The National League Cup is designed to give young players from Premier League and EFL clubs additional opportunities to test themselves against senior opposition, to further aid elite player development.

But its introduction at the same time as FA Cup replays are scrapped from the first round proper has meant it has, not surprisingly, been met with cynicism by supporters. National League teams will host Premier League 2 sides in four group matches between October and January before quarter-finals in February, semi-finals in March and a final in April. Group A: Brighton, Fulham, Reading, Southampton, Aldershot, Maidenhead, Wealdstone, Woking.

Group B: Blackburn, Manchester United, Stoke City, Wolves, Altrincham, Forest Green, Oldham, Rochdale. Group C: Leeds, Middlesbrough, Newcastle, Sunderland, Boston, Gateshead, FC Halifax, Tamworth. Group D: Nottingham Forest, Tottenham, West Brom, West Ham, Braintree, Dagenham, Ebbsfleet, Sutton.

Ebbsfleet will host West Brom on October 1, Tottenham on October 29, West Ham on January 7 and Nottingham Forest on January 21..