Ebbsfleet United chief executive Damian Irvine wants better communication from football authorities

Communication from the football authorities has to improve, according to Ebbsfleet chief executive Damian Irvine.

It’s already been a summer of change with the FA scrapping replays in the FA Cup proper and the National League setting up a competition with Premier League clubs’ under-21 sides.

Both changes were leaked in the national media before the clubs were informed.

“The problem is and it’s the same with the FA Cup replays, the National League and the Premier League and the FA will all agree as we’ve put it on them at meetings, the consultation and communication around these decisions is horrendous,” said Mr Irvine.

“Clubs find out late, and supporters are even later, we get leaks in the press to find out these things. The FA Cup replays is an example, this new competition.

“Whatever merit is in these competitions, whatever good reasons there are for doing them, have been so poorly communicated that there’s been no messaging around it.

“It’s very hard for supporters to be excited about something they know nothing about.

“That’s certainly something the FA and the National League and the Premier League would agree they need to do much better with.”

The National League competition will be similar to the EFL Trophy as Premier League sides look to expose their emerging youngsters to competitive football.

The top 16 from last season’s National League will compete, with relegated Sutton and Forest Green replacing promoted Chesterfield and Bromley.

That means there’s no room for the Fleet, who can look on from afar before deciding how the land lies.

“I’m glad we get a year to determine whether we’re in favour or not,” said Mr Irvine.

“We haven’t been asked, it’s not a vote so whether a club is in favour or not is not really