Break Time

This new Premier League break seems like an opportunity missed for FA and the Football League. Or more, one shoved aside by the television demands for Premier League football.

England’s top tier finally got their wish of a winter break, which isn't a wholly bad idea. Although the sycophantic whining from top tier managers had become nauseating, a break for players during a busy winter schedule is a fair shout.

But they would do well to remember that League One and League Two sides also compete in three cup competitions alongside the league. And with the intrusion of Premier League B Teams into the Leasing.com Trophy (in my mind, it will always be the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy), third and fourth tier sides are now obliged to play an extra two matches in the competition - at the whim of Premier League clubs.

And these are clubs with vast resources to be able to build large squads. So while the winter break is overall a good idea, it’s hard to feel too sorry for clubs in the Premier League.

What does seem ridiculous though is that break has been staggered over two weekends, with half of the Premier League teams playing each week.

Yes, it fulfils the TV schedules demand for constant top tier action. But it does see a missed opportunity to promote the EFL.

This could have been a weekend devoid of Premier League football - an opportunity to have the Championship, League One and League Two in focus. In particular the latter two, with the Championship already regularly having games on Sky.

And that would, of course, have extended to non-league - where BT Sport hold the rights.

TV wouldn’t have been the only way forward, though. A campaign to persuade more fans through the gates could have been deployed.

Perhaps a universal offer agreed by EFL clubs to encourage fans who would usually be transfixed on the Premier League to still get their football fix in the lower divisions could have been deployed.

But ultimately, this was not an available option with the decision to stagger the Premier League’s winter break.

And it’s a shame, because it would have been a great opportunity to showcase the EFL and non-league, be it with more games being broadcast or special offers on tickets.

Although many EFL clubs are struggling, it is still one of the most special and unique things about English football. It is something to be cherished, and more must be done when opportunities present themselves to promote it.