Derby County accept Premier League invitation after troubled Reading back out

Pride Park Stadium, the home of Derby County
-Credit: (Image: Zac Goodwin/PA Wire)


Derby County have accepted the Premier League's invitation to compete in the National League Cup after Reading withdrew from the competition.

Designed for National League clubs and teams who compete in Premier League 2, the tournament is designed to help aid development of young players. Open to clubs who have teams in Premier League 2, Derby under-21s will begin their campaign next month after troubled Reading, still awaiting a takeover, backed out.

It will give National League clubs the chance to play against the best young players in the country in their own stadiums and they get to keep all gate receipts. Jake Buxton’s Rams are joined by fellow Premier League 2 sides Brighton & Hove Albion, Fulham and Southampton, and will face National League sides Aldershot Town, Maidenhead United, Wealdstone and Woking.

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The competition is a 32-team midweek competition, comprising of 16 under-21 teams participating in Premier League 2, and 16 first teams from clubs participating in the National League.

The competition will consist of a group stage (four groups of eight), with the two best-placed teams in each group advancing to a knockout stage to determine the winner.

Tony Scholes, Chief Football Officer at the Premier League, said: “We’re excited to launch this new competition in partnership with the National League. The competition will provide additional opportunities for young players in the under 17-21 age groups to gain valuable experience of playing against First Team opposition, something many of our current Premier League stars have experienced in their development. We’re pleased to be able to support in the operation of the competition and look forward to seeing the wider benefits it will bring to National League clubs.”

Mark Ives, General Manager at the National League, said: “This new competition presents another exciting chapter in our partnership with the Premier League. Our sides will have a great opportunity to compete against some of the best Academy Players in the country. We’re excited to be working closer with the Premier League on the operational side of the new competition and look forward to continuing our valued partnership further.”

The combined prize fund for the competition is £1million, provided by the Premier League. Prize money will be distributed only to National League clubs.

The competition becomes a component of the Elite Player Performance Plan, which has seen over £2billion of investment into Premier League and EFL academies over the last decade, with the aim of producing more and better homegrown players.

Fixtures

Aldershot Town Vs Derby County Under-21s, Tuesday October 15, 7pm.

Maidenhead United Vs Derby County Under-21s, Tuesday November 5, 7.30pm.

Wealdstone Vs Derby County Under-21, Tuesday December 3, 7.30pm

Woking Vs Derby County Under-21s, Tuesday January 7, 7pm

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