Quote:
Originally Posted by DAV007
With premier league clubs sending B teams, you will possibly have a lot more away fans and a nice earner for what use to be a fixture where clubs may have lost money.
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Not so sure about that, Davo.
Clubs like Stanley need fans who can be persuaded to come regularly, not 'one-off' earners in a cup in which League 2 teams will have even less chance of progressing.
I once (never again!) went with a work colleague to see Reading v Arsenal U21s, played at Basingstoke Town's ground. Firstly, the football was turgidly predictable, with neither team willing to do anything that 'risked' losing the ball or an injury. Secondly, whilst there was a few hundred there, I don't believe there were many true 'away' fans. Most of them were Basingstoke fathers with kids who 'support' Arsenal (i.e. watch Sky). I don't think there were many, if any, North London residents who'd made the arduous journey to Basingstoke.
So if Stanley drew, say, Everton U21s, I suspect the only extra money Stanley would earn is from the odd (very odd
) local residents who 'support' Everton and otherwise might rarely get to watch The Toffees. Doubt if there'll be many true 'away' fans.
More likely this is 'tester' to see how Academy teams compare with the lower League teams and, if they can hold their own or better, then don't be surprised if the 'extra' 20 teams that will make up the proposed 5th Division are Premier League Academies.