Worthington Cup: Top clubs back Cup euro battle

Premier League clubs have given unanimous support to the Worthington Cup, offering their backing for the competition to retain a European place for the winners for at least the next two years.

Ahead of this weekend’s final between Tottenham and Blackburn, the competition received a timely boost at the monthly meeting of 20 top-flight chairmen.

Several leading clubs may have fielded largely reserve sides over recent years, with Bolton also following suit this season, but many other teams see the competition as their most realistic route into Europe.

Despite a packed fixture schedule and the potential to argue that the European place should instead go to the Premiership, the clubs recognised the vital role which the Worthington Cup plays in redistributing income.

After all, many lower league teams effectively depend on the revenue which they receive from the competition.

A Premier League spokesman revealed: ‘‘Our clubs gave their full and unanimous backing to the Worthington Cup competition, recognising the vital revenue streams which it provides to many Football League clubs.

‘‘The clubs also backed the provision of a UEFA Cup place for the competition for at least the next two years.

‘‘The Premier League will now engage in a full consultation exercise with the Football League over the future structure of the Worthington Cup.’’

The Football League are currently considering tentative proposals to spice up the competition by inviting Scottish clubs, especially Celtic and Rangers, to take part in future seasons.

UEFA have already warned that Scottish clubs would have to give up any right to qualifying for Europe through a British Cup and there are understood to be reservations about such an idea felt by several Premiership chairmen.

However, the idea was not even discussed during today’s Premier League chairmen’s meeting in London.

The clubs did consider a proposal made by Charlton for England’s fourth Champions League place to go to the winners of the FA Cup rather than the fourth-placed Premiership side.

However, this was rejected after a brief discussion, with Charlton receiving negligible support from the other top-flight clubs.