x

No Worthington Decision - Ipswich Town News

The Football League are still to decide on when Town will enter this season's Worthington Cup. A League spokesman told TWTD this morning that a decision will be made by the end of the month but that it was "very unlikely" that the Blues would enter at the first round stage.

Town's UEFA Cup qualification has caused a headache for League bosses due to the club's First Division status. No provision has been made in the Worthington Cup's rules for Nationwide League clubs qualifying for Europe.

As a Division One side the Blues would be due to begin their challenge in the first round, but the combination of European and Worthington Cup games would create major early season fixture congestion as the club begin their assault on the Nationwide League.

Discussions are currently continuing between the Football League, Town and the Premier League with various scenarios on the table.

One possibility is that the Blues will get one of the eight seeded places in round three, however this depends on the fortunes of Aston Villa and Fulham in the Intertoto Cup. Seven of those places have already been claimed by sides in the Champions League and UEFA Cup.

Should Villa and Fulham both qualify for the UEFA Cup via the Intertoto route then Villa, who finished higher in the Premiership, would get the one remaining bye to round three with Fulham starting in round two.

If Fulham alone go through then they would begin their Worthington Cup campaign at round three. Only if both fail could Town then start their challenge at that stage.

However, even then this is by no means certain as that place normally reverts to the side finishing highest in the Premiership who failed to qualify for Europe, in this case West Ham. This is one of the matters being discussed with the Premier League.

The most likely outcome appears to be Town entering the competition's second round with a final decision expected over the next few weeks.

A Football League spokesman told TWTD this morning: "We are speaking to all parties at the moment and a decision will have to be made by the end of the month. The draw will be held in early August.

"It is highly unlikely that Ipswich will be playing in the first round of the Worthington Cup."

Last season Town, as a Premiership club in the UEFA Cup, were one of the eight sides which received a bye to round three. There they beat Crewe 3-2 at Gresty Road before bowing out at St James' Park, Newcastle in round four.

What to read next:

McKenna: A Good Night But Still a Lot to Work On
Boss Kieran McKenna hailed Town’s 5-0 hammering of Sheffield United as a good night for the players and supporters and believes it was an important victory, but says there’s a lot still to work on.
Philogene: A Special Performance For Me
Town winger Jaden Philogene hailed a special performance as he struck his first senior hat-trick in the Blues’ 5-0 thrashing of Sheffield United at Portman Road.
Ipswich Town 5-0 Sheffield United - Match Report
Jaden Philogene hit a hat-trick as Town ended their long wait for a home league win by thrashing Sheffield United 5-0 at Portman Road. Philogene opened the scoring in the 20th minute, then added an even better second on 51, before George Hirst made the most of dreadful defending to net the third in the 61st minute. Philogene completed his treble with his best of the night seven minutes later, before Jack Clarke completed a great night for Town, whose last home league win was against Chelsea on December 30th, on 78.
Ipswich Town 5-0 Sheffield United - Player Ratings and Reports
If you saw the match, please give us your player ratings and a mini match report.
Ipswich Town 1-0 Sheffield United - Half-Time
Jaden Philogene’s first goal at Portman Road has given the Blues a 1-0 half-time lead against Sheffield United.
Furlong and Akpom Start For Blues
Town have made two changes for this evening’s live Sky game against Sheffield United at Portman Road with Darnell Furlong and Chuba Akpom coming into the team.
Ipswich Town v Sheffield United - Chatroom Open
Join us in the chatroom to discuss the game as it unfolds with hundreds of other Town fans.
[Podcast] Blue Monday - New Podcast Now Online
A new podcast from the Blue Monday team is now available.
Wark Book Pre-Order Deadline Today
The deadline for pre-orders of the new John Wark book He’s Here, He’s There is today.
Akpom: I Always Had My Mind Set on Ipswich
Chuba Akpom has revealed he always wanted to sign for Town this summer despite nearly joining Championship rivals Birmingham City.