How important is the League cup?

[Guy Fawkes]

Ignore our fixture against Sunderland (if you can) but has this competition lost its meaning and appeal to fans?

Have Premier League clubs playing their reserves / youth players in their games meant that this competition has become a bit of a non event or does the glamour of a Wembley final and a European place at stake mean that this is still an important competition to clubs and fans?

 

[Shooting Star]

Personally I don't give a shit about the Carling Cup. The League Cup, Johnstone's Paint Trophy etc. just detract from the FA Cup, which I believe is sadly losing value because of all these other competitions. All I care about is the league and the FA Cup.

 

[16bha]

For us it's important. A good revenue stream, chance for us to measure up against the premier league. Hoping to see Gyan next week?

 

[Braders]

Not really bothered about Cups , it's all about the League for me

for the club obviously it's revenue , but it's more games for the players and unless we rotate the squad this could potentially lead to injuries in the run in

 

[BHAMAN]

It's a competition and our team exists to compete. So, of course it's important.

 

[pork pie]

I think it is really important for us.

It is a chance to play Premiership clubs and test the team properly, get revenues, and we stand a small chance of winning it even.

 

[kingcole]

Watched the Carling cup final on TV last year and it was a massive deal for both Arsenal and Birmingham. Sold out Wembley and my club Wembley mate said he could have got £450 for his ticket on the exchange

 

[algie]

Really depends on clubs ambitions and squad size. I'm not that bothered about the league cup unless we start to progress a few rounds or hit a good tie.

 

[pottert]

A home game in the 2nd round of the carling cup against Sunderland is worth about £750,000 to us.That's how important it is to us.Let's face it not a game that we cannot win.

 

[LABHA]

Takes pressuse of players,playing in the cup,back door into europe?more money for club? chances of newcastle away,yes please.

 

[algie]

A home game in the 2nd round of the carling cup against Sunderland is worth about £750,000 to us.That's how important it is to us.Let's face it not a game that we cannot win.

No it isn't

 

[Simster]

No interest in it really, until the last 16. Then very very interested. Ipswich and Birmingham both made the last 4 last season, so you've got to hope our players realise we have a real chance of going somewhere in the competition...

 

[pottert]

No it isn't

Please explain

 

[Barrel of Fun]

It is the most realistic chance of us getting into Europe this season, so I want to win it.

 

[algie]

Please explain

Gates are roughly split

1901 free entry meaning we will have to pay Sunderland i would guess.

People less likely to have a few beers. Going home straight after match.

 

[Barrel of Fun]

Please explain

Gate receipts are split 45%/45% with 10% going into the reward pot.

Even if we sell out at an average of £25 a ticket (free 1901/comps) - that is about £500k - so £225k each. That doesn't take into account the cost of hosting the tie (although one would assume we make a profit on subsidiaries).

I don't know what the prize money is in the early rounds, but losing semi-finalists take home £25k, the runner-up bags £50k and the winner trousers £100k, so pretty minimal.

 

[algie]

Gate receipts are split 45%/45% with 10% going into the reward pot.

Even if we sell out at an average of £25 a ticket (free 1901/comps) - that is about £500k - so £225k each. That doesn't take into account the cost of hosting the tie (although one would assume we make a profit on subsidiaries).

I don't know what the prize money is in the early rounds, but losing semi-finalists take home £25k, the runner-up bags £50k and the winner trousers £100k, so pretty minimal.

Those prize money figures are a joke compared to the FA Cup ones.

 

[pottert]

Gates a roughly split

1901 free entry meaning we will have to pay Sunderland i would guess.

People less likely to have a few beers. Going home straight after match.

Fair comment I forgot about the distribution of gate receipts for cup games & of course 1901 entry.

That being said it is still a very profitable game for us.

 

[beorhthelm]

like the League Trophy (aka Paint Pot), its usfull to give a few players a run out and keep fitness up. no one takes it seriously until they are at the quarters/semis and in with a chance of a trophy win. at which point it suddenly becomes a worthy cup to fans and managers alike.

 

[trueblue]

We seemed to enjoy it well enough when we beat Manchester City. Of course, the League is the most important thing but it's great to get a chance to play teams from other divisions some times... look at Forest v County in the last round. Every so often it'll throw up a good fixture.