Southend United explain reasons opting against cup competition

The cup competition, which will feature 16 clubs from the fifth tier along with 16 Premier League and EFL under-age teams, was officially announced on Thursday.

But Blues will not be taking part.

Lawrence explained: “When this competition was presented to us in the summer, we looked at the numbers and couldn’t see how we could make it work financially.

“We also had concerns over pitch deterioration, over the winter months, and we were unsure at the time the decision was made to not participate where we would be squad-wise.

“We don’t want players fatigued in the run in to the end of the season.

“For all these reasons we decided that we will not participate in the competition this year."

In launching the competition, the National League said it would offer “an opportunity for National League clubs to play regular matches against the best U21 teams in England at their own stadia, with this additional exposure intended to improve the playing and spectator experience”.

York City, Barnet, Eastleigh, Solihull Moors, Hartlepool United, Yeovil Town and AFC Fylde also opted against take part in the competition which critics say has been set up to win National League support for the scrapping of FA Cup replays and in opposing the independent regulator alongside the Premier League.

In a post directed at the National League’s bosses, York co-owner Matt Uggla wrote on X on Thursday: “Thought the whole reason [for] not having FA cup replays was too many fixtures….. But I guess that only applies to the prem teams.

“At least be honest about your reasoning, your masters said jump and you said how high.”

The introduction of the new competition comes as a new Football Supporters’ Association survey has found non-league fans back FA Cup replays continuing in the qualifying rounds.

The Football Association announced in April that replays from the first round proper were being scrapped from this season onwards.