Aldershot Town 2-1 Fulham U21s - Tuesday 21st January 2025 (Match Night Thread)

[Shot From Afar]

There have been a number references made here in recent months about PL B teams entering the lower leagues. Is this mere rumour and speculation, or is there some substance to the idea?

And God forbid it did happen, couldn't that potentially lead to these B teams progressing through the divisions and possibly ending up with the likes of Liverpool B winning the PL title? Surely there's no appetite for that to happen, even amongst the overpriveledged PL elite.

[Mytshot]

There have been a number references made here in recent months about PL B teams entering the lower leagues. Is this mere rumour and speculation, or is there some substance to the idea?

And God forbid it did happen, couldn't that potentially lead to these B teams progressing through the divisions and possibly ending up with the likes of Liverpool B winning the PL title? Surely there's no appetite for that to happen, even amongst the overpriveledged PL elite.

B teams in lower leagues are a common feature in Europe but they can’t be promoted.

[Mytshot]

The competition has been devised for two reasons. 1) for League clubs to give their kids some additional competitive matches and 2) to lay the ground for B teams to enter the lower leagues. The prize money bribe is hardly life changing. And has been said, we'll probably eat that up in pitch repairs in the close season. It's looking pretty ropey already and could've done with a rest this week, particularly with all the rain to come tomorrow. Add in the risk of getting key players injured (if you're daft enough to play your first team) and I would say overall it's not worth it.

As soon as B teams enter our league that’s me done I’m afraid, might take up crown green bowling as an interest!

I’ve heard this put forward a hundred times, always without single shred of evidence to back it up. Got anything you could point me to so this claim could actually be evidenced?

What evidence was there for scrapping FA Cup replays? They just did it. The invention of these fake cup competitions is enough evidence for me that they want their kids to play against professional men’s teams. Entering a league is the inevitable next step.

[Turnkey]

As soon as B teams enter our league that’s me done I’m afraid, might take up crown green bowling as an interest!

I’ve heard this put forward a hundred times, always without single shred of evidence to back it up. Got anything you could point me to so this claim could actually be evidenced?

What evidence was there for scrapping FA Cup replays? They just did it. The invention of these fake cup competitions is enough evidence for me that they want their kids to play against professional men’s teams. Entering a league is the inevitable next step.

The scrapping of cup replays came from a pressure group led by Klopp complaining about too many games at the top level. The B teams theory is a completely different issue that is, as far as I can see, totally unlinked.

[redblueuptoyou]

Too many games yet they’ll fly out to Saudi for an end-of-season friendly.

[Rba]

As soon as B teams enter our league that’s me done I’m afraid, might take up crown green bowling as an interest!

I’ve heard this put forward a hundred times, always without single shred of evidence to back it up. Got anything you could point me to so this claim could actually be evidenced?

What evidence was there for scrapping FA Cup replays? They just did it. The invention of these fake cup competitions is enough evidence for me that they want their kids to play against professional men’s teams. Entering a league is the inevitable next step.
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If what you say is correct, then that means our club agreed to it. Why ?

[Silasgoldeen]

I’ve heard this put forward a hundred times, always without single shred of evidence to back it up. Got anything you could point me to so this claim could actually be evidenced?

What evidence was there for scrapping FA Cup replays? They just did it. The invention of these fake cup competitions is enough evidence for me that they want their kids to play against professional men’s teams. Entering a league is the inevitable next step.

The scrapping of cup replays came from a pressure group led by Klopp complaining about too many games at the top level. The B teams theory is a completely different issue that is, as far as I can see, totally unlinked.

the man city Chief Exec has wondered aloud about it. I think that's it, him being from Spain etc. But it seems like a huge challenge to the integrity of the pyramid. Then again, all national league teams lose money don't they? That's the challenge. And we all know not to expect too much integrity from football people when there's money to be had.

[lowerbourneshot]

You only have to look at the lowland lge in Scotland, their equvilant of the national lge that has b teams in . If enough money was offered The National lge would take it

[Old Bob]

The competition has been devised for two reasons. 1) for League clubs to give their kids some additional competitive matches and 2) to lay the ground for B teams to enter the lower leagues. The prize money bribe is hardly life changing. And has been said, we'll probably eat that up in pitch repairs in the close season. It's looking pretty ropey already and could've done with a rest this week, particularly with all the rain to come tomorrow. Add in the risk of getting key players injured (if you're daft enough to play your first team) and I would say overall it's not worth it.

I think you are missing the main reason, namely as a sweetener to stop the NL and FA kicking up a fuss about the scrapping of FA Cup replays.

[Old Bob]

As soon as B teams enter our league that’s me done I’m afraid, might take up crown green bowling as an interest!

I’ve heard this put forward a hundred times, always without single shred of evidence to back it up. Got anything you could point me to so this claim could actually be evidenced?

What evidence was there for scrapping FA Cup replays? They just did it. The invention of these fake cup competitions is enough evidence for me that they want their kids to play against professional men’s teams. Entering a league is the inevitable next step.

Good analysis, Mytshot. I think you have sussed this one right.

[hepcat]

You only have to look at the lowland lge in Scotland, their equvilant of the national lge that has b teams in . If enough money was offered The National lge would take it

Hopefully there will be a huge grass roots protest against any such move-it would be a big loser to all non league clubs. The U21's would be taking up a NL spot and denying a non league side a place and chance to progress. Also-what about promotion ? The FA are stupid and useless but even the stuffed shirts would say you cant have Fulham FC v Fulham U21's as a league match. Skirt around this and say they can't ever be promoted to the FL then you still have the huge first problem of them cuckooing a place in the NL. But I have to agree with what you say-I think they will try it one day. PL matches abroad will happen which will be the step needed to start the ESL , so the U21's in both the NL Cup and League trophy is an uncomfortable development.

[chimpster99]

You only have to look at the lowland lge in Scotland, their equvilant of the national lge that has b teams in . If enough money was offered The National lge would take it

Hopefully there will be a huge grass roots protest against any such move-it would be a big loser to all non league clubs. The U21's would be taking up a NL spot and denying a non league side a place and chance to progress. Also-what about promotion ? The FA are stupid and useless but even the stuffed shirts would say you cant have Fulham FC v Fulham U21's as a league match. Skirt around this and say they can't ever be promoted to the FL then you still have the huge first problem of them cuckooing a place in the NL. But I have to agree with what you say-I think they will try it one day. PL matches abroad will happen which will be the step needed to start the ESL , so the U21's in both the NL Cup and League trophy is an uncomfortable development.

Sadly it will happen, s the FA and NL will fold in an instant once a sackful of cash is waved as them. It's the norm around much of Europe these days. Rule is that B/U21 teams cannot be promoted into the same division as the A team.

[lowerbourneshot]

You only have to look at the lowland lge in Scotland, their equvilant of the national lge that has b teams in . If enough money was offered The National lge would take it

Hopefully there will be a huge grass roots protest against any such move-it would be a big loser to all non league clubs. The U21's would be taking up a NL spot and denying a non league side a place and chance to progress. Also-what about promotion ? The FA are stupid and useless but even the stuffed shirts would say you cant have Fulham FC v Fulham U21's as a league match. Skirt around this and say they can't ever be promoted to the FL then you still have the huge first problem of them cuckooing a place in the NL. But I have to agree with what you say-I think they will try it one day. PL matches abroad will happen which will be the step needed to start the ESL , so the U21's in both the NL Cup and League trophy is an uncomfortable development.

My point all along ,let's us admit 4 teams and we'll pay the National lge say 10 million ,peanuts to The Premier League. The extra 4 clubs to go down get a million each ,which would clear debts . I believe clubs would actually take the deal . Why when the b teams play in the Johnstone paints cup or whatever it's called do they need to bother us ?

[Graham Stovold]

As soon as B teams enter our league that’s me done I’m afraid, might take up crown green bowling as an interest!

I’ve heard this put forward a hundred times, always without single shred of evidence to back it up. Got anything you could point me to so this claim could actually be evidenced?

What evidence was there for scrapping FA Cup replays? They just did it. The invention of these fake cup competitions is enough evidence for me that they want their kids to play against professional men’s teams. Entering a league is the inevitable next step.

You make a good point & is something I am suspicious of. I was aware that La liga teams had B sides in lower leagues, but a quick search on the net, I found this piece which confirms my suspicions.

It appears we are a bit adrift with this system & with the PL being made up of foreign managers, they will do a bit of leaning on the FA.

https://thefootballfaithful.com/could-a ... n-england/

[Turnkey]

I’ve heard this put forward a hundred times, always without single shred of evidence to back it up. Got anything you could point me to so this claim could actually be evidenced?

What evidence was there for scrapping FA Cup replays? They just did it. The invention of these fake cup competitions is enough evidence for me that they want their kids to play against professional men’s teams. Entering a league is the inevitable next step.

Good analysis, Mytshot. I think you have sussed this one right.

Analysis based on hearsay, rumour and speculation and not hard evidence and fact is not good analysis, I thought you may have understood that OB.