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      FA Cup prize money dramatically increased as EFL and non-league clubs compensated for scrapping of replays

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      THE FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION has significantly increased the FA Cup prize money after replays were controversially axed.EFL and non-league clubs were outraged back in April after a joint decision from the Premier League and the FA to scrap rematches in the legendary competition.The Football Association has significantly raised the FA Cup prize moneyCredit: GettyThe FA agreed to put an extra £2.34million into the prize pot for rounds one to threeCredit: PAOfficials announced they would seek compensation for their clubs and branded the initiative as “frustrating and disappointing”.They also claimed they had been sidelined and expressed fears that the new format would deny already cash-strapped sides lucrative fixtures with some of the country’s biggest clubs.The EFL believed the decision occurred as a result of the expansion of Uefa’s calendar with the controversial introduction of the repackaged Club World Cup, which led to furious reaction from players.According to The Mail, however, a compensation has now been agreed following a series of high-level talks.Read More on FootballThe FA agreed to put an extra £2.34million into the prize pot for rounds one to three.That means the total kitty could increase by 38 per cent compared to last season.Therefore, defeated clubs from Round One will make £15,000 compared to nothing from last year.Those who are defeated in the second round will receive a total of £65,000, which is up from £41,000.Most read in FA CupBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSAnd finally those who make it to Round Three before being knocked out will pocket £145,000.Replays had been a key part of the FA Cup tradition, which is why the new plans received such a furious reaction.My cousin is Man Utd FA Cup hero – now he’s helping me through my injury hell so I can shine for women’s teamWhy FA Cup changes are GOOD NEWSBy Martin LiptonTHE FA and Premier League should have done the deal to scrap FA Cup replays years ago.No doubt traditionalists will moan but it is right that the competition has finally been brought into the 21st century.Ending replays will bring extra sharpness and excitement to the ties, with the knowledge that there will be a winner, whether in 90 minutes, extra-time or penalties.If big guns have a bad day, they are more likely to pay the price. Replays after draws give them a fall-back they do not deserve.Giving the FA Cup total and absolute priority over four weekends – and ensuring there is no competing match on the day of the Final – will enhance the profile of a competition that was in danger of falling out of the spotlight.And as long as the FA ensures a better split of the prize money fund, weighting it more towards the earlier rounds, and potentially a similar move with  TV match money, there should be few losers.Read more on the FA Cup. More

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      I suffered a life-changing accident that convinced me to buy my beloved club, now I’m trying to take them to the EFL

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      GEORGE DOWELL’S life changed forever when a terrible car accident left him paralysed from the chest down.But after telling his mum “I want to die”, he answered his beloved local football club’s plea to rescue its future.George Dowell is the inspirational owner of Worthing FCCredit: Instagram @gdowellHis life changed aged 17 after a horrific car accidentCredit: Instagram @gdowellDowell features in a new TNT documentary tracking his and the club’s journeyCredit: Instagram @gdowellAnd now he wants to take them into the EFL for the first time in their history – with the incredible journey now documented by a TNT Sports film.Right-back Dowell – nicknamed “Shin Crusher” thanks to his combative defending – was on the brink of breaking into the Worthing FC first team at the age of 17.But in April 2010, he was involved in the terrible crash on his way from training to McDonald’s that saw his friend’s car flip off the road and into a field.He suffered spinal cord injuries that left him paralysed from the chest down with limited use of his arms and was told he would never walk again, prompting his tragic and bleak comment to mum Linda.Most read in FootballBut while his hopes of playing for Worthing and making a career on the pitch were over, he found purpose in his life again when he answered the cash-strapped Mackerel Men’s desperate SOS call – using some of his insurance pay-out to purchase the club in 2015, wipe their mounting debt and save them from potentially folding.Wheelchair-bound Dowell, 32, told SunSport: “I don’t have a lot of memory of the accident other than a few flashes. “The aftermath, being told you’re not going to walk again let alone kick a ball, all that is still very raw.“I didn’t really know what that meant for my life and didn’t hold out a great deal of hope.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS“I insured my care for the rest of my life. “Their last resort was putting out in the local paper to try and get someone to come in and help because they were in hundreds of thousands of pounds of debt and the playing budget had been completely cut at Christmas of that season. “So there was no money left at Worthing.Worthing FC owner George Dowell describes club’s ambition to reach EFL for first time“If something didn’t change very quickly, they were going to be gone by before the end of the season probably. It was a genuine concern.“When the club was struggling financially, that was the perfect opportunity for me to find purpose in my life.”At the age of 22, Dowell found himself as the owner of a football club, a far cry from his days playing Football Manager, and was in charge of a boardroom of execs making big decisions.One of his first big calls was to fund the new 3G pitch and renovate the bar at their Woodside Road stadium, both helping Worthing become more financially sustainable but also, crucially, a club for the community once more. But those lofty ambitions of two promotions in five seasons came to pass – delayed by Covid which denied it happening even earlier – and a new leg tattoo is a constant reminder of the success.Now the West Sussex outfit play their football in the National League South, roared on by an average 1,500 fans at each home game, a ten-fold increase from when he first rescued Worthing.Their third-placed finish last season was the best result in the club’s history and saw them qualify for the play-offs.A staggering 30,000 people tried to get tickets for the final against Braintree, selling out their 3,500-capacity ground, as they agonisingly missed out on promotion following a dramatic 4-3 defeat.But while the short-term goal is to get into the National League for the first time, there is no ceiling on Dowell’s ambitions for Worthing – whose supporters chant his name and adore their hero. Dowell added: “When we came in, we set a very ambitious plan of trying to get two promotions in five years, which is a crazy thing to do when you’re 22 with no experience.Dowell was a promising young footballer with aspirations to go proCredit: Instagram @gdowellThe film delves into the drive to get Worthing up the divisionsCredit: TNT SPORTSGeorge and Jessikah welcomed baby Bonnie in 2023Credit: Instagram @gdowellHe got this tattoo to mark two promotions in five seasonsCredit: Instagram @gdowell“Now we are in the National League South, the highest the club’s ever been. It took seven years but only five complete seasons so I’ll take that as a win.”We definitely want to get to the National League as soon as we can. We were very, very close last year.“In the long-term, we don’t see a ceiling. We don’t see why a town as big as Worthing can’t sustain a club in the Football League. I don’t see why it can’t do that.“We’re going to try and make that happen at some point.“I’ll always be a fan and I want to be involved as long as I possibly can be but I’ll never overstay my welcome. “I’m sure that at some point the club will get to a point whereby it needs a lot more investment and it will need a lot more money to climb the league. I’d never ever stand in the club’s way of progressing.”Dowell’s impact has not gone unnoticed.As well as the recognition from Worthing’s passionate fans and now the TNT Sports cameras, he was also invited on to TV show The Undateables and even received an MBE for his services to football and disability awareness. He said: “The MBE, I never thought in my wildest dreams that would happen in my lifetime. That was very weird. I thought it was a scam when I first got the email about it.“When The Undateables first got in touch, I wasn’t really interested in going on or looking for love but they thought that mine would be a really good story to tell.“I’m really glad I did it. I was in a rut, it gave me confidence I could find love and that I don’t have to be as scared.”At the time of my injury, I thought I’m never going to be a dad, never going to achieve much in my life.George DowellIt was through his appearance on telly that he inadvertently met girlfriend Jessikah, who added him on social media after watching the programme.The documentary candidly details their relationship including the various challenges of being an inter-able couple from the daily practicalities to the impact on sex and conceiving. But thanks to IVF, George and Jessikah welcomed their baby daughter Bonnie into the world last November – and the new parents give an insight into parenthood on their YouTube channel, The Wheel Life.Dowell explained: “If Jessikah had never seen that show, we wouldn’t have started chatting and wouldn’t be as happy as we are now with baby Bonnie who’s ten months old.“I really loved being a dad and really love our little family.“At the time of my injury, I thought I’m never going to be a dad, never going to achieve much in my life. “It goes to show you there is still plenty you can achieve post-injury and there’s no reason why, if you’re passionate about something, you can’t make it happen.”READ MORE SUN STORIESIt is fair to say George saved Worthing – but Dowell himself will be the first to admit that Worthing also saved George. The Club That George Built premieres on TNT Sports 1 at 22:30 on 1st October 2024 and will be available to watch on-demand via discovery+George reluctantly appeared on The Undateables but it helped build his confidenceCredit: Channel 4Dowell is wheelchair bound after being paralysed from the chest downCredit: Instagram @gdowellWorthing play their football in the National League SouthCredit: RexDowell has limited use of his armsCredit: Instagram @gdowellDowell wrote off Worthing’s debts when he bought the clubCredit: Instagram @gdowellHe received his MBE from Princess AnneCredit: TNT Sports More

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      Former Arsenal and England star, 32, posts four-word message after completing shock League Two transfer

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      A FORGOTTEN Arsenal ace has completed a shock move to a League Two outfit.The versatile full-back amassed a total of 93 Premier League appearances and played in the Champions League 10 times during his 14-year career.Ex-Arsenal ace Carl Jenkison has joined League Two side BromleyCredit: GettyEx-England ace Jenkison is excited with his upcoming challengeCredit: GettyThe ex-Arsenal ace also picked up one England cap after bursting onto the scene with the Gunners in 2012.That is none other than Carl Jenkinson who joined Bromley as a free agent. The defender put pen to paper on a one-year contract with the Ravens.The ex-Nottingham Forest ace shared a pic of him in a Bromley shirt on social media and expressed his excitement for the new challenge lying ahead.Read More on ArsenalJenkinson posted on Instagram: “Another new chapter begins.”Jenkison returns to English football after a two-year stint in Australia that saw him playing for Melbourne City and Newcastle Jets.And the ex-England international will be reuniting with Bromley manager Andy Woodman, with whom he worked at Charlton back in his youth days.Jenkinson said: “How’s it feel? It’s good, I’m glad it is sorted out now with all the international clearance stuff which was dragging on a bit…Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS”I know Woody [Woodman] from when I was a kid coming through at Charlton… it’s one of them that when you know someone – he was always so easy to get along with even as a young lad…”That led to me reaching out to Woody a couple of weeks ago and saying can I come in and train because I wanted to be fit and maintain my fitness.Arsenal ratings: Martinelli ends goal drought but Partey struggles against Leicester”We have that relationship where I can ask that question, so it was nice that he said yeah and then that it’s led to this.” More

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      EFL manager cancelled training session after two stars came to blows and couldn’t be in same room together

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      AN EFL manager once had to cancel training after two players had a huge bust-up and could not be left alone together.The shocking incident occurred at Shrewsbury, with then boss Paul Hurst taking no chances as he sent two of his star players to the dressing room.Paul Hurst axed training after his players had a huge bust-upCredit: GettyWycombe’s Jack Grimmer told SunSport about some incredible EFL talesCredit: AlamyWycombe star Jack Grimmer shared some hilarious tales with SunSport as part of the “What the EFL?” series.From an owner’s crazy antics to wild nights out, the Chairboys captain lifted the lid on his maddest footballing experiences.BEST EFL PLAYER?[Bakary] Sako when he was at Wolves.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLBEST EFL FANS?Leeds at Elland Road. DODGIEST FACILITIES? Yeovil away. In the changing rooms, the windows were open right next to our fans and we lost the game. We were getting all this abuse in the windows. Most read in EFLFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSEFL FANBASE WHO LIVE RENT FREE IN YOUR HEAD?Sunderland. ‘Fan told me he was ‘****ing my mum’ | Gillngham’s Jack Nolan plays What the EFL?!FUNNIEST FAN ABUSE YOU’VE EVER HEARD?Away at Lincoln. They just kept shouting every time the goalie kicked the ball – it was that old-fashioned, you fat b******. MOMENT THAT HAUNTS YOU?When I was at Coventry and we lost at home to Yeovil 6-2. ICONIC TRAINING GROUND TALE?Our old captain, Joe Jacobson… Marcus Bean put crickets in his car.He couldn’t find the crickets for like weeks. So he would get in his car and then still find the noise of crickets going on. WILDEST OWNER ANTICS?At Wycombe again, our owner Rob Cooig, his nephew Pete Couhig, who was our CFO, Pete was obviously ecstatic that we had one promotion during COVID at Wembley against Oxford.The celebrations were a bit heavy, shall we say. I had a back operation not long before. He proceeded to fall backwards off the team bus onto the street. ICONIC TRAINING GROUND TALE?At Shrewsbury ten years ago, our captain Adam El-Abd and Irish hardcore centre-mid Gary Deegan.Two people you just would not mess with on a football pitch or in life in general, they just kept going at each other all morning and eventually came to blows. The manager at the time, Paul Hurst, basically called an end to training because he did not want those two players going into the changing room on their own. Adam El-Abd had a furious row with a team-mateCredit: Action Images – ReutersThe defender and Gary Deegan could not be left alone in the dressing roomCredit: SportsfileWILDEST NIGHT OUT?After Coventry got promoted, the League Two play-off final against Exeter.READ MORE SUN STORIESBank holiday Monday, all the Sky Blue Army went and there was about 35,000, 40,000 people there. They all went back to Coventry to support us and party. Probably my best night out ever. I remember feeling like almost invincible.Who are these famous footballers? More

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      Tom Lockyer feels invincible after surviving cardiac arrest as he backs campaign for fans to learn CPR

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      TOM LOCKYER feels invincible and is joking among pals that he will ‘live for ever’.The Wales international TWICE almost died after collapsing with heart problems playing for Luton Town.Tom Lockyer is backing the Every Minute Matters campaign with the British Heart FoundationThe Luton captain returned to training after two heart issues in eight monthsBut now he is mulling over a return to the game he loves despite initially being ‘at peace’ with retirement should doctors tell him to walk away from the game at 29.Lockyer, who now has a fitted defibrillator which shocks an irregular heartbeat back to a normal rhythm, said: “I feel safe. It’s like I’ve got a superpower now.“My biggest joke with my friends is, ‘I’ll live forever’ — because when I’m 85 in bed, possibly dying of old age, the defibrillator will shock me back into life.“I’m invincible!”READ MORE IN FOOTBALLFootball held its collective breath while both Hatters and Bournemouth fans at the Vitality watched in horror as midfielder Lockyer collapsed during a Premier League game in December.It later emerged he had suffered a cardiac arrest just months after paramedics and medical staff saved his life at Wembley during the Championship play-off final against Coventry that May.Lockyer had fallen to the ground unconscious with atrial fibrillation – or irregular heartbeat – and despite being clinically dead for 2 minutes 40 seconds, medics at the Dorset club rescued him and today he feels fit, healthy and back to his jovial self.Incredibly, he is also back involved in training sessions.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSSo far, it is only warm-up drills with the squad before doing rehab work with his personal coach. It is a first tentative step in a long journey to a possible return to action.Manchester United’s Christian Eriksen was able to continue playing after suffering a cardiac arrest at the Euros for Denmark in 2021 thanks to a fitted unit.Tom Lockyer hugs team-mates as he returns to Luton’s training ground five weeks after shock cardiac arrest on the pitchBut to have lived to tell the tale after one serious heart issue is alarming enough — but to survive a second and still want to play is extraordinarily brave.Yet Lockyer said: “You could say that but I don’t see it that way. I’ve got my box fitted now and feel as safe as any other normal person or player.“After it happened there was a case that maybe I couldn’t exercise again which for someone who has always been active would’ve been hard.“I started off doing a bit of rehab to see where I could get to and what I’d be allowed to do safely. When we kept ticking off boxes, I thought, ‘Why stop now?’“Let’s see where I get to. If I can get on the pitch again, great. If not, I’ll listen to the doctors. Just because I’m back in Luton, it doesn’t mean I’m going to play again. “It’s not something I can rush — but it’s great to be back among the lads because I missed that changing-room camaraderie.”EFL supports World Heart Day EFL stars will bag the British Heart Foundation £1,000 for EVERY GOAL scored across the Championship, League One and League Two this weekend.It is World Heart Day on Sunday, September 29.So Sky Bet vowed to make the generous donations to support the ‘Every Minute Matters’ campaign, which has now helped 90,000 people learn life-saving CPR skills.The campaign has now raised £520,000 since its launch in May and hopes to fund 80 more community defibrillators across the UK. There are 30,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests in the UK each year – that is five every 90 minutes. It is crucially important for people to learn how to do CPR – with just one in ten surviving out-of-hospital cardiac arrests due to a lack of skills or confidence to do CPR. Eventually, the ‘Every Minute Matters’ goal is to train up 270,000 people in CPR by May 2025 – enough to fill three Wembley Stadiums. But one thing Lockyer does want to see happen quickly is for more people to learn CPR (Cardiopulmonary resuscitation) — and become life-saving heroes like the paramedics that rescued him.The EFL’s sponsors SkyBet are generously donating £1,000 to the British Heart Foundation for EVERY GOAL scored in the Championship, League One and League Two this weekend — including Friday night’s second-tier clash between Lockyer’s Luton and Wayne Rooney’s Plymouth as well as Tranmere v Salford in the fourth rung.To mark World Heart Day, SkyBet and the charity want fans of all 72 EFL clubs to kick their fears and apprehensions about performing CPR into Row Z by learning in only 15 minutes how to be a future life-saving hero.So far — in a campaign called Every Minute Matters — they have managed to get 90,000 members of the public to learn how to do it. Their target is to be able to have enough fans who have learned CPR to fill THREE Wembley stadiums.Lockyer said: “Your chances of surviving an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest is less than one in ten. “The reality is if you’re unfortunate enough to suffer one, unless there are paramedics or people nearby confident enough to perform CPR, it’s not looking good for you.“Less than half of EFL fans surveyed by SkyBet said they were confident of doing CPR.“Imagine if someone you loved, a family member, collapsed in front of you and you didn’t know what to do — despite having all this awareness about CPR brought to your attention and not having spared just 15 minutes to learn it? It would haunt you forever if they passed away.“I’ve done it online. It’s not rocket science and takes 15 minutes. The more people who know how to do it, the better the survival rates will be.”Cardiac arrests don’t discriminate. You can be as fit and healthy as a Premier League footballer like myself or a 90-year-old. A man told me about his 18-month-old daughter. That hit home. That was shocking.Tom LockyerAn impressive £520,000 has already been raised by the campaign and the first £400,000 of these funds are being spent on 80 more community defibrillators distributed across the UK as well as training more people CPR and defibrillation skills.Lockyer would like one day for every household to have a defibrillator — which would save many more lives — but accepts a lot of work needs to be done before they can become more affordable.He said: “Cardiac arrests don’t discriminate. You can be as fit and healthy as a Premier League footballer like myself or a 90-year-old.“After what happened I had a man reach out to me about what happened to his 18-month-old daughter. That hit home. That was shocking. Thankfully he knew what he was doing and she is still here today.”Speaking about his own experiences, when Lockyer suffered his first cardiac at Wembley, during the time he lay unconscious, he revealed he dreamed that Luton won the play-off final: “Thankfully that was a reality.”But the second time, he blacked out completely in a situation that was really touch and go. He said: “When I woke up, I knew what had happened — and as glad I was to have survived the first thought after that was ‘Oh, that my career over then.'”However, that might not be the case after all and even if it is, Lockyer will continue to campaign passionately in a bid to save others — including this weekend.READ MORE SUN STORIESAnd he added: “Let’s hope for lots of goals this weekend — some 10-10 draws would be nice! And please everyone learn how to become a hero like those that saved me.”Lockyer called on fans to learn how to do CPRLockyer collapsed during the 2023 Championship play-off final at WembleyCredit: GettyLuton stars lifted Lockyer’s shirt after securing promotionCredit: GettyAfter his cardiac arrest at Bournemouth, he thought his career was overCredit: ReutersThe midfielder says he feels ‘invincible’ with his defibrillatorCredit: GettyHe thanked the Bournemouth paramedics for saving his lifeCredit: Reuters More

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      EFL cult hero Gareth Ainsworth ‘plotting shock return to management’ after almost a whole year unemployed

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      EFL icon Gareth Ainsworth is reportedly targeting a return to management.The 51-year-old has been out of work since leaving QPR last October.Gareth Ainsworth allegedly wants the Hearts jobCredit: GettyHe was sacked by the Hoops following six consecutive Championship defeats.But now he is seeking a return to management.According to the Daily Record, Ainsworth wants to become the next Hearts boss.The Scottish Premiership side sacked Steven Naismith last week following a 2-1 defeat to St Mirren.Read More in FootballClub officials are now looking for his successor, with Ainsworth among the potential candidates.The former QPR boss has applied for the vacant job and is now under consideration.His statistics will be reviewed by Hearts before the interview process begins.Ainsworth turned down several job opportunities after leaving QPR a year ago.Most read in EFLFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSHe was understood to be waiting for the perfect role to come around.And he believes Hearts will tick every box.’We had a can of beans between 20′ Charlton’s Matt Godden on struggles at old club – What the EFL?!Prior to his stint at QPR, Ainsworth managed Wycombe Wanderers for almost 11 years.He won promotion from League Two in 2018 and from League One in 2020.Ainsworth managed 550 games at Wycombe, with a win ratio of almost 40 per cent and he gained a reputation for playing attacking football. More

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      Amazing pictures emerge of former Premier League club’s new stadium which will boast DOUBLE capacity

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      LUTON have unveiled photos of their stunning new stadium that will be double the size of their current ground.Kenilworth Road underwent a refurb when Luton were promoted to the Premier League last year.Luton have unveiled what their new ground will look likeCredit: lutontownA floodlight will stretch around the perimeter of the roofCredit: lutontownAll four stands are separate with hospitality boxes in the cornersCredit: lutontownThe main stand will host a museum, club shop, cafe and ticket officeCredit: lutontownThe exterior has a unique look with the floodlights acting like a haloCredit: lutontownBut that work pails in comparison to the new stadium – Power Court.The Hatters have received approval for their planning application, with the new multi-purpose venue designed to help “regenerate” the town.The new ground will boast 25,000 seats, compared to Kenilworth Road’s 12,056, and will have a unique look.Each stand is different with a Kop-like stand behind one of the goals.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThey are all separate too like a traditional ground, not a bowl like many other clubs have opted for in recent years.That means there is space in each corner for individual box stands, with one appearing to host hospitality boxes.An exterior look at the main stand shows a ticket office, club shop, cafe and a museum.The club hope the stadium, including a hotel and music venue, will be completed within three years.Most read in EFLBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSMost striking is the floodlight above the stadium roof that covers the entire perimeter, shining down on the pitch from every angle.The new ground will be situated in the heart of Luton town centre, just over a mile away from Kenilworth Road. ‘Fan told me he was ‘****ing my mum’ | Gillngham’s Jack Nolan plays What the EFL?!But in order to go ahead with the build, the River Lea will have to be rerouted, and the council have agreed to the plans.Luton shared photos of the design on social media alongside the caption: “She’s going to be a beauty 😍”Fans seem to agree with one suggesting the stadium “looks incredible”.Another added: “Looks fantastic.”And a third wrote: “That’s absolutely beautiful.”The new ground will be double the size of Kenilworth RoadCredit: lutontownThe River Lea will have to be re-routed to make way for the stadiumCredit: lutontown More

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      Non-league club BOYCOTT new Premier League-backed competition despite qualifying for it as they release statement

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      EASTLEIGH FC have confirmed they will NOT be participating in The National League Cup competition.Yesterday, the Premier League announced they had teamed up with the National League to launch a new cup that they believe will boost elite youth development in this country.The Premier League announced the National League Cup competitionHowever, Eastleigh FC have confirmed they won’t be enteringHowever, Eastleigh have told fans that despite qualifying they won’t be entering.They made their statement across five points.It read: “National League teams currently receive no compensation or protection for our young players, some of whom would feature in this competition. Premier League and EFL clubs simply take these players that have often had many years development at our clubs, something they cannot do to each other.”Providing these clubs with competitive games to then play these players or showcase more of them to be taken under these circumstances is completely illogical.Read more football news”The financial reward for playing in the competition is negligible and is likely to cost the club some much-needed funds.”We don’t believe there is a huge demand for the competition from our supporters or any other National League club.”The fixtures are to be played between October and April which is a time in the season where the club would hope to be competing in the FA Trophy, FA Cup and mounting a challenge for the Play-offs/Promotion and to add more fixtures to this already busy schedule would be counter productive.”The statement revealed that a number of clubs have joined Eastleigh FC’s stance on the matter.Most read in FootballThe club added: “Our clubs are being under-valued, and far too many have not survived in the game when there is more money than ever flowing into it. This needs addressing and this competition increases the huge divide which currently exists.How much every Premier League club earns in shirt sponsors”This competition which we feel benefits the richest in the game at the expense of the poorest, many of whom are fighting to survive so on balance we feel the right decision for clubs and fans at this level is to withdraw from the competition.”The tournament will help young players from Premier League and EFL clubs gain additional opportunities to test themselves against senior opposition from the fifth tier.It will also offer the chance for National League clubs to play regular matches against the best Under-21 teams in England at their own stadiums.The competition comes with a combined prize of £1million, provided by the Premier League.The amount will be distributed only amongst the National League clubs.Blackburn Rovers, Brighton, Fulham, Leeds, Manchester United, Middlesbrough, Newcastle, Nottingham Forest, Reading, Southampton, Stoke, Sunderland, Tottenham, West Brom, West Ham and Wolves have been confirmed.They will be joined by Aldershot Town, Altrincham, Boston United, Braintree Town, Dagenham & Redbridge, Ebbsfleet United, Halifax Town, Forest Green Rovers, Gateshead, Maidenhead United, Oldham Athletic, Rochdale, Sutton United, Tamworth, Wealdstone and Woking. More