‘Help smaller clubs’

EAST Londonderry MP, Gregory Campbell has said that a major football cup competition should be ditched in favour of a UK-wide tournament that would give guaranteed entry to the Champions’ League for the winner.

By The Newsroom

Published 26th Jan 2011, 09:11 BST

Mr Campbell has tabled a parliamentary motion calling on football authorities to breathe new life into cup competitions and help smaller clubs generate extra revenue.

The creation of the UK competition could see local clubs potentially battle it out against teams such as Manchester United. The incentive for larger clubs would automatic entry into the Champions’ League should they win and the Europa League for the runner-up.

Four teams from Northern Ireland, the top three in the Irish league and the winners of the Irish Cup could be one way of organising it according to the DUP man.

Mr Campbell said: “I’ve had a few football fans, particularly English fans based in Northern Ireland and MP’s talking to me about this. A UK cup would attract teams from all over and give smaller teams some chance of making progress.”