Nigel Clibbens says Carlisle United have “made a decision” on whether they’ll take part in the controversial National League Cup in 2025/26.
And while the Blues’ decision has not yet been officially confirmed, the chief executive dropped strong hints that the club would not be involved in it.
The competition sees fifth-tier teams take on Under-21 sides from the Premier League, similar to the EFL Trophy which involves Leagues One and Two teams as well as top-flight academy sides.
While some National League sides participated last season, some others decided against entering.
And Clibbens, asked for the club’s position by the News & Star, gave the strong impression that United would opt out.
“The club has a view and it's made a decision,” said Clibbens.
“We haven’t gone public on it yet. We just want to make the disclosure in the right way.”
Asked if United’s “decision” had taken into account the view of supporters, Clibbens said: “Yes – we had discussions with Matt Spooner, the [Carlisle United Supporters’ Trust] director. He made the fans' view really, really clear.”
Carlisle, when voting in favour of the contentious involvement of Under-21 teams in the EFL Trophy several years ago, did so despite supporters in a poll making clear their stance against the format.
Clibbens referred to that 2016 poll and its feedback and added: “I'll let you speculate on what the decision might be off the back of that.”
Asked if the club had considered a poll again, the chief executive added: “No, I don't think it was considered necessary because we've got some lived experience since then.
“We've got how the tournament worked with the EFL Trophy.
“It's different in the National League – in the EFL, once the vote's taken, you're in it. But it's voluntary in the National League. And obviously our priority is promotion.
“And the other thing that people don't necessarily know about the National League Cup is that it's not geography-specific. So, you can be playing anywhere. From our point of view, that doesn't necessarily help us at all.
“So, there are a lot of factors that weigh in one particular direction.”
The involvement of Premier League clubs in the National League Cup comes with financial incentives, with a prize fund of £1m shared by the non-league clubs last season, when Leeds United Under-21s won the cup by defeating Sutton United in the final.
“I think you reach the final, I think the numbers can be comparable to the EFL Trophy, from what was disclosed by the National League,” added Clibbens.
“But for us, it's never going to be about the financial impact.
“We're in a different climate to where we were when that original poll was done a few years ago.”
Clubs who opted out of the National League Cup last season included Eastleigh, who said there was not a “huge demand” for the competition and said it added unnecessary extra fixtures to a busy schedule.
They also said the financial reward was “negligible” and also commented on the lack of “protection” for National League clubs when Premier League and EFL clubs want to sign their young players.
The Premier League and National League, when launching the 32-team format last year, said the cup was “designed to give young players from Premier League and EFL clubs additional opportunities to test themselves against senior opposition, with the aim of further aiding elite player development.”
The involvement of lower-league EFL clubs in the EFL Trophy sine the 2016 revamp has long been controversial, with some record low crowds recorded in the competition, including Carlisle's lowest-ever Brunton Park attendance.
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