Scottish clubs back plans for British Cup

The annual fixture is the brainchild of Coors Brewers, sponsor of the English League Cup under its Carling brand, which is also the shirt sponsor of Rangers and Celtic, who have privately given an enthusiastic response to the idea.

Hampden has already been earmarked for the inaugural British Cup match, with Tuesday, 25 May pencilled in as the date so long as the winners of the Carling Cup are not involved in the Champions League final the following night.

The English Football League wants to give its tournament more kudos, while the commercial benefits of the new competition would increase the attraction of the CIS Insurance Cup in Scotland which has suffered from the loss of a UEFA Cup place for its winner.

The financial rewards of the British Cup, however, will be an attraction to all Scottish clubs. A prize of 450,000 has been proposed for the winner of the first match, with the runners-up receiving 300,000.

Donald said: "We have discussed it and we think it is a positive proposal. We think it would be a further reward for participation in the CIS Cup, an additional incentive to win the tournament.

"The game would obviously generate extra revenue, which is something most clubs would welcome in the current financial climate football finds itself in. There would also be considerable prestige at stake for the winners."

Whether this latest British Cup concept, far simpler than its many predecessors which have failed to get beyond the boardroom tables, becomes reality will depend on the English FA Premier League clubs, all of whom have now been contacted for a formal response to the proposal.

In the recent past, they have been cool towards any notion of cross-competition, most notably the attempts by the Old Firm to relocate to the Premiership. Initial soundings suggest there is more warmth towards the new initiative which is seen as straightforward, unthreatening and financially viable.

All 12 Bank of Scotland Premierleague clubs are believed to be in favour of the fixture and are waiting for the response of their counterparts in England.

"We have been in discussion with our colleagues in England about this proposal," said a SPL spokesman last night. "It is a good concept but no decision has yet been made."

No-one from the FA Premier League was available for comment, while a Football League spokesman would only say: "We are constantly looking at ways to enhance and add value to our competitions, but until any plans have been fully considered and agreed by all relevant parties, it would be inappropriate to comment further."

News of the British Cup, however, emerged when a document compiled by Richard Masters, commercial director of the Football League, was leaked by one of the FA Premier League clubs. The document reveals the Football League is obliged by the terms of its sponsorship agreement for the Carling Cup to seek the introduction of a British Cup.

Masters adds: "The Football League has now developed discussions with all the leagues to the point where the FA Premier League has now circulated a summary proposal to its clubs for consideration."

The combined prize fund of 750,000 is confirmed, although the document also states the two finalists must agree to share any other profits or losses from the match on a 60-40 ratio.

Hampden would be likely to stage the fixture each year until Wembley’s redevelopment is completed, with the match then taking place at the two famous venues on an alternate basis.

While 25 May is the preferred date for the match if the British Cup is agreed in time for this season, the document compiled by Masters concedes it will be difficult to establish a regular time slot on the football calendar for the new event.

Not since the demise of the Anglo-Scottish Cup in 1981 have clubs from Scotland and England taken part in an annual competition.

There is little doubt the British Cup fixture has the potential to become a major end-of-season attraction which would interest television companies. This year, for instance, the match would have seen Rangers face Liverpool.

News of the proposal will add intrigue to this season’s CIS Insurance Cup. The competition resumes at Easter Road tomorrow night, Hibs entertaining Celtic in a delayed quarter-final with the prize for the winners a last-four showdown with trophy holders Rangers at Hampden in February.

Livingston will face Dundee in the other semi-final and by the time the ties come around, there should be a clearer picture of whether they are also playing for the right to take part in a new high-profile competition next May.