The EFL announced earlier in the season that the EFL futures programme would provided a £750,000 cash boost to clubs who introduced young English players into their starting line-ups for league matches during the 2016-17 campaign.
Luton Town today have revealed they have received £17,982 after manager Nathan Jones gave 82 league starts to players who were under the age of 21 and eligible for England.
My guess is we get around 20k for giving 88 starts to 8 players under 21.
Could of been over 25k if George Thomas and Cian Harries were entitled to qualify for the money.
** edit.....
if loans are allowed it's a extra 72 appearances so near £35,000 see post #5
Turned 22 on the 24th August so that's why I think he only qualifies for 3 starts.
Same as Jordan Turnbull who turned 22 October 31st.
If it's allowed to the end of the season it's a very healthy return for both players.
Willis 36 and Turnbull 36 league starts each
A possible extra 56 starts
I think it's a pretty pitiful amount of money dedicated to this. The principle is great but considering the amounts of money in the game these days, the total reward for all EFL clubs is 2 and a half weeks of Wayne Rooney's salary. We'll get 20 to 35k and then lose our starlets on cheap tribunals. Much rather see something like a 10% cut of all transfer fees get taken by the EFL (instead of agents!) when a player under 23 is transferred from the EFL to PL and then that money get entirely re-invested in a scheme like this. Only needs 1 Ademola Lookman deal a year for the budget to be increased.
Turned 22 on the 24th August so that's why I think he only qualifies for 3 starts.
Same as Jordan Turnbull who turned 22 October 31st.
If it's allowed to the end of the season it's a very healthy return for both players.
Willis 36 and Turnbull 36 league starts each
A possible extra 56 starts
I know there are competition rules etc but surely something like the EFL cup is perfect to play youngsters in especially when the competition includes playing U23 sides?
So Luton benefit on one hand by 18k and get fined £15k on the other
I think a lot of teams are starting to play more younger players in any case because to survive they can not afford heavy wage bills for senior players, CCFC included. It isn't really because of EFL schemes it is more a fact of life