Oxford United wait for cup decision (From The Oxford Times)

Oxford United wait for cup decision

8:00am Thursday 2nd July 2009 in

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The Football Conference have not dismissed the chances of a cup competition for non-League teams this season.

With broadcaster Setanta going into administration, the Setanta Shield will no longer take place – much to the relief of many Blue Square Premier clubs who viewed the tournament as extra unwanted fixtures.

The competition was for all the clubs in the Blue Square Leagues, with Premier clubs such as Oxford United not entering until the fourth round.

But with the FA Cup and FA Trophy also taking place, clubs who were successful in one or more competitions saw themselves faced with a fixture backlog towards the end of the season.

Last year, Kettering had seven games in hand over Oxford in February thanks largely to their FA Cup exploits.

The Oxford Mail understands that when the fixtures are released tomorrow, the Football Conference will leave certain dates free for the possibility of a league cup, although these will not be indicated.

This is in case a company takes over Setanta, and wants to run their own non-League.

Dennis Strudwick, general manager of the Conference, confirmed that the matter would be on the agenda when the board meets on Monday.

“Obviously the Setanta Shield will not be running, but whether or not there is another competition next season is something we will discuss at our next board meeting,” he said.

United general secretary Mick Brown said: “We have not been told by the league that there will be any extra competitions.

“We are obviously hoping that someone will come in and agree a television package because I think we all agree that the coverage was very good, but as to whether that will a) happen and b) lead to an extra competition, nobody knows.”

Last year, Oxford lost at Forest Green and the season before were knocked out by eventual winners Aldershot. Both defeats came in their first match in the competition.