No To EPPP

Last updated : 28 December 2011 By The Stray Shots

What is EPPP?

The Elite Player Performance Plan (EPPP) is the controversial new rules on football youth legislation, created by the Premiership League’s elite and forced onto the Football League.

What changes will affect my club?

The plan has been designed to give a green light for fastracking of the Football Leagues best local youth players to Premiership clubs.

The rich get rich, the poor get poorer.

Every club in the Football League will be massively affected by these rules which include:

  • An end to the “90-minutes catchment area rule” any big club can now poach our players from anywhere in England (previously limited to 90-minutes from the training ground).
  • A drastic decrease in compensation given for transfers with fixed limits of £40k for U16’s, (clubs rely on decent compensation for their youth talent which can now be taken for next to nothing) Crystal Palace received £700k for John Bostock but would now only get £40k!)
  • Scouts from big clubs will now have full access to every training ground with as little as 48 hours notice to pick the cream of the crop.

NO LOCAL LADS PLAYING FOR THEIR LOCAL TEAMS AND NO COMPENSATION FOR THE TALENT.

FOOTBALL LEAGUE CHAIRMAN GREG CLARKE IS CONCERNED THAT 30 OR 40 CLUBS WOULD GIVE UP YOUTH DEVELOPMENT.

Why haven’t I heard of this?

There has been widespread dissent in the media and supporters (click here for articles) – a massive 84% of fans on the FSF site were against the ruling but we are being ignored as the money men of the Premier League cover this up for their own gains.  22 Football League clubs voted AGAINST with clubs in favour of doing so amidst the backdrop of alleged pressure from the Premier League.

Clubs have been forced to accept this.

When EPPP was first devised, the Premier League threatened to withdraw guaranteed youth development funding to the Football League clubs unless they agreed to the new rules.

Many clubs were left with no choice but to accept this, sacrificing their long term futures for short term survival.

What can I do to fight this?

Campaigns  have already started across the country with action taking place inside and outside stadiums.  We have 6-months to get this overturned – if enough supporters make their voices heard. 

WE CAN DO THIS, BUT WE MUST ACT NOW!

Please click here to find out how you can help.