There has been a lot of talk lately about uniting the four home nations to make a team to enter into the Olympics and while I think that would be a bad idea, the idea of a British Cup does appeal to me.
Does that make me a hypocrite? I don't know, but at least wait and hear my idea before you judge me too harshly.
It's become clear over the last few seasons that the English League Cup is dying and I don't think anyone can deny it.
Any competition that clubs feel they can field a weakened team it must have had its day.
At first it was Chelsea, Manchester United, Liverpool and Arsenal fielding reserve sides but the craze has grown and now just about every Premier League side has done it.
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I'd go further than that and say even football league clubs are losing interest. Birmingham's second round exit among other bigger football league teams is hardly helping the situation.
Therefore, what about combining the Carling Cup with Scotland's League Cup as well as teams from Wales and Northern Ireland, to form a British League Cup?
No European spots would be up for grabs. That would be impossible logistically. They could easily be distributed to 6th place in the English Premier League and 4th in the Scottish Premier League.
The logistics might well be impossible but it would sure cheer up Sepp Blatter who has "Britain" on the brain.
Rangers and Celtic up against the EPL's best, the likes of Motherwell and Hearts aiming to strengthen Scotland's footballing reputation.
It probably wouldn't be enough to get Arsene Wenger to play an experienced side after all he doesn't even do that in the EPL, but it would add some renewed interest and vigour into what used to be a well respected competition.
Let's just hope something is done before this sad cup disease gets a strangle hold of the FA Cup.
With the FA Cup holding the only European place outside the league it may well be of huge benefit to that competition.
So how about it?
Britain's battle lines redrawn.
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2 months ago
It's a good idea..atleast better then the utterly ridiculous idea of merging the EPL and the SPL which could work too :p...Anyways, good piece..Andrew..Man Utd vs Celtic asides the Champions League will be phenomenal for British Football..it's a decent idea but with the FA Cup's presence..it could die out too soon..The Carling Cup could be set aside for Reserve Teams..which Arsenal and United usually opt for and then Spurs win it!
from 2 months ago
u siad what I was thinking. the reserves play in this cup and its not that exciting really.
from 2 months ago
Exactly, it's of no interest to me to watch reserve games. Oh well it's all fantasy anyhow.
2 months ago
I think teams have lost interest as it’s just too many games, especially for those already banking on playing 10 or so games in the Champions League. Taking away the European place would take away any prestige left in the tournament in my opinion and would probably see teams like Middlesbrough opt to field a younger team and save their best players for games offering a route into Europe.
I think this would offer more incentive to the Scottish, Welsh and Northern Irish clubs but I really don’t see how this would re-kindle interest South of the Border. If Ferguson, Wenger, etc are happy to put out reserve teams when playing each other in the League Cup then I don’t think this would change even if they were playing Celtic or Rangers for example.
Off the top of my head (with Olympics still fresh in mind), how about making it just an Under-23 tournament, then everyone can pursue their youth policy and a European place being at stake might actually help clubs re-focus on bringing through young talent!!
(By the way Birmingham went out in the 2nd round..) This should encourage good debate though!!
from 2 months ago
That is a good point about the too many games. Many other EPL teams are now also fielding weaker teams however and what is their excuse?
The under 23 thing is fine but there is already a reserve cup and what about the football league sides...would they be up for under 23?
Apologies about the Birmingham City :)
I'd like to think English fans would like see battles between teams from all four countries.
Thanks for the comments Matt.
2 months ago
The fans would undoubtedly love to see clashes between their clubs, but probably less so if first choice players weren’t involved. Why England didn’t agree to participate in the tournament with Scotland, Wales and N.I is beyond me – the F.A. were probably too scared at the prospect of losing to be honest rather than playing the old “too many games” card. Those atmospheres really would have been rocking and still will be if and when it goes ahead without England.
from 2 months ago
It appears so. A real friendly with atmosphere :)
2 months ago
Personally I wouldn't want to see a British Cup. Of course when Celtic draw Man U, or Rangers draw Arsenal, everyone would be interested, but what about Stenhousemuir vs Accrington Stanley?
The big british teams already draw each other fairly regularly now in the Champions League or UEFA Cup every now and again, for the rest, it would just be an inconveniance, and further cost.
What about the fans? Posh usually take a decent away following of around 500, depending on the distance to travel, I can't see 500 going to Belfast on a cold October wednesday evening, more like 5.
Its a novel idea, but it my opinion it is completely unworkable.
Personally I would rather just see the Carling Cup scrapped completely, creating more free-weeks for international matches, re-matches from the odd postponement, and opening up the possibility of a winter break.
from 2 months ago
Yeah it's total fantasy I know :)
Haha they'd love a trip to Belfast ;) but I understand your points. Logistics would kill it from the outset.
Well we definitely need a winter break up here so I'd second that.
2 months ago
I would love to see a British Cup, and games with the small teams from any of the countries would add a bit of spice because it means another smaller team goes through rather than watching get battered by a big team.
It wouldn't be any inconveniance to any of the teams because it would be just another domestic cup, and the costs would be minimal.
Fans would make the trips to places in Northen Ireland just for the hope that a new cup can bring their teams much needed success, no matter how small attendances may be.
It's a great idea, and it absolutely workable, just takes a bit of common sense.
I'd hate it if the Cup was scrapped altogether because right now it is providing more competition for the players. International Friendlies are completely pointless anyway, so if they were scrapped then it would free up a lot more time and perhaps a meaningful winter break.
Anyone who says it should be scrapped altogether is a fool because this is sometimes the only cup that a team can win, and if they can't do that then what is the point. Only the simple minded would propose such balderdash.
from 2 months ago
ah common sense :) something no football official appears to have.
Whatever happens, something needs reworked and new ideas have to be proposed.
2 months ago
A Britich Cup would be pretty good, but I think it will be valued less than the League Cup! Incidentally I've just written an article on why Scottish clubs wouldn't stand a chance if the SPL and EPL were to join. But in a cup competition anything can happen!
2 months ago
Great Idea. I know you won't like this Andrew but I want a British league and a British national team too!
from 2 months ago
I know I know :)
2 months ago
Great article, I loved that shot at Wenger haha
from 2 months ago
Haha thanks Ben.
2 months ago
I don't think shots shold be throw at anybody, and i also think the idea won't be very good,cos like u said ther are already too many games and this would add to the very tiring schedule in England and Scotland. Its also not good as has been shown by how unwell the British teams do in major competions and qualifiers. You don't have to look to far back to see that there was no British team at the Euro's.
Another point to note, is, the Carling Cup is looking like the immediate solution to churning out English talent, as the younger boys get to play competitive games and improve themselves, since the big four clubs(maybe we should add up Man City!!!!!!) hardly have any time to guarantee playing time or even buying them at all.
from 2 months ago
The young players in the Carling Cup is a good point. It may well be the only chance they have of developing.
2 months ago
I would love to see Scottish teams play in a British Cup against the England Lad. I actually enjoy the Carling Cup, good to see one's young players given a shot. The Reserves league is too low key. The Carling Cup allows club to see if they are able to make the step up to the first team.
from 2 months ago
Yeah the Carling Cup does have its benefits like that. Lucky in Scotland outside the old firm good young players play regularly in the first teams.
I'm just an old romantic :) Bring on the old enemy haha
2 months ago
Good u share my view Andrew and Tim.
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