Sutton United players Harry Ransom, Ashley Nadesan, Besart Topallaj, Hayden Muller and Ryan Jackson visited Muschamp Primary School in Carshalton, who has partnered with the club in previous Team Up For Tickets campaigns.
The group of players had the privilege of answering a number of questions from the students in Years 4, 5 and 6, and with the occasion being in collaboration with the Premier League 2, got to see the Premier League trophy on show as well.
Ahead of our National League Cup Final against Leeds United Under-21s, the Premier League’s Chief Football Officer Tony Scholes has shared his thoughts for the Sutton United matchday programme.
I am looking forward to another exciting match in this competition and would like to extend my congratulations to both teams for reaching its inaugural final. We have enjoyed some entertaining fixtures over the course of the campaign which have benefited clubs competing from the National League, as well as Premier League 2 sides.
Both teams have had to battle hard to earn their place here this evening, with Sutton navigating past a strong Manchester United Under-21s in the quarter-finals before overcoming Braintree Town. Meanwhile Leeds’ young players have done themselves proud in holding their own against experienced opponents and beating National League sides in the last two knock-out rounds. Whoever lifts the trophy this evening will be a worthy winner.
The National League Cup was launched earlier this season in a collaboration between the Premier League and the National League as we continue to strengthen our relationship. It is designed to give young players from Premier League and EFL clubs additional opportunities to test themselves against seasoned opposition, aiming to further elite player development.
It also sees National League clubs play regular matches against the best Under-21 teams in England at their own stadiums, with the additional exposure intended to improve the playing and spectator experience. Gate receipts from the competition and the combined prize fund of £1 million are kept solely by National League clubs to help their growth and sustainability.
This Cup forms a key part of our commitment to the National League. The Premier League has pledged £23.6 million over four years – more than double the investment agreed for 2022-2025. In addition, the Premier League Stadium Fund has helped more than 1,000 lower-league clubs develop their facilities to improve the players’ and fans’ experience, and our partnership with the PFA funds the National League Trust and its network of 72 clubs to deliver hugely important community programmes.
We are proud that the sustained success of the Premier League enables this support and more for leagues across England and Wales. The Premier League has a close connection with the National League and its clubs, and we see this competition as an opportunity to deepen those ties as we continue our support of the whole football pyramid.
I hope you enjoy tonight’s final, and the remainder of the season.
Tony Scholes
Premier League Chief Football Officer
The Premier League trophy will also be on show at tomorrow’s National League Cup Final against Leeds United, which you can read more about here.
