Sheepy Wants British Cup
Thursday, 16th May 2002 09:21

Town chairman David Sheepshanks, currently mulling over an offer to rejoin the Football League board, has said that he would like to see the Worthington Cup replaced by an 'all-British' competition involving Scottish, Welsh and even Irish clubs.

Sheepshanks also says he is against the Old Firm going into the Nationwide League, something that Town fans agree should not happen. More than 80% of supporters in TWTD's poll were against Rangers and Celtic joining The English league structure.

However, Sheepshanks does feel that the Scots should be welcomed into a new competition replacing the Worthington Cup: "The best route forward would be to consider admitting them into a new British cup competition, which could perhaps replace the current Worthington Cup.

"I appreciate there would be hurdles but it would be an attractive proposition to the fans with the caveat of being able to ensure crowd safety. It would be a winner."

Sheepshanks even suggests Welsh and Irish clubs may also be involved.

This idea is not new and previously UEFA have said any entry of non-English clubs into the Worthington Cup would force them to remove its UEFA Cup place.

However, according to the Town chairman, this shouldn't necessarily be the case: "I don't buy into the philosophical view that Scottish clubs can't compete in English League as it jeopardises national identities and European qualification.

"That doesn't stack up as it is already being compromised as we have Wrexham, Swansea and Cardiff playing in the English league yet we still have a Welsh international side.

"And we have a Welsh Cup which has qualification for the UEFA Cup for the winners. So why can't that happen for Scottish clubs?"

Sheepshanks says he doubts that Rangers and Celtic will come into the English league, partly as he can't see 14 Premiership clubs voting in favour of allowing them in. Sides would see them as extra competition for Champions' League or UEFA places, while making it more difficult for smaller clubs to remain in the top division.

If there were no prospect of entering the Premiership then it is unlikely the Old Firm would be interested in joining the Nationwide.

Sheepshanks will decide on Monday whether he will rejoin the Football League board. Prior to Town's 2000 promotion he was their chairman.

Photo: Action Images

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