Fixture Congestion Looms As League Cup Returns

Last updated : 10 June 2004 By Dave Hobley

The Cup, known as the Nationwide Variety Club Trophy when it was last contested three seasons ago, will incorporate the newly formed Conference North & South Divisions as well as the Conference 'National' Division, moving the number of participating clubs forward from 22 in 2000/1 to a proposed 66-team contest this season. The structure is yet to be confirmed, but it is widely believed that Conference 'National' teams will enter the competition at a later stage.

The news has however received mixed responses. When it ran last, average gates lagged well behind that off the FA Trophy and Conference League, and it is viewed by many as a redundant exercise given that it provides a similar a scope as the more firmly established Trophy competition.

Meanwhile, it was also confirmed that City have been selected as one of twelve Conference clubs to go forward and compete in the League Associated Members Cup next season - pending the expected invite from the Football League. However, the competition (formerly known as the LDV Vans Trophy, Auto Windscreens Shield, Autoglass Trophy, Leyland Daf Cup, Sherpa Van Trophy and Freight Rover Trophy) is once more without a sponsor for this coming season and a question mark lingers over the event's future.

Assuming that both Cups go ahead as planned, it will take the number of competitions City are competing in next season to six: The Conference League, The FA Cup, The FA Trophy, The (former) LDV Vans Trophy, The Conference League Cup, and the Devon Bowl.