SOUTHEND United’s chief executive Steve Kavanagh has backed changes to the Football League Trophy – insisting they needed to be made to save the competition.

Premier League sides will be entering under-21 teams in the Trophy next season.

But, amid criticism from fans, Kavanagh was keen to stress it had been a far from straight forward decision.

“The competition as it is is dead,” said Kavanagh.

“You either win it or want to go out in round one. The middle ground is a nightmare as there is little or no money and not many people are interested.

“Adding to that we now don’t have a sponsor either and I cannot accept that we can let a competition we have been strong in and got to the final several times just die.

“The final is a fantastic day and worth more than £400,000 but the competition needs to be refreshed and built into something new.

“Basically I think you either have to scrap the competition or try something a bit different and innovative for a year.

“It was a very long and complex debate but I do think this is the best of the solutions available.”

The competition’s prize money has been significantly improved as part of the new set up with £10,000 at stake in every game of the initial group stages which will see the Shrimpers placed with three other sides.

The prize money continues to rise during each round but Kavanagh does not think this will lead to under-21 teams eventually becoming part of the Football League as has previously been mentioned as a possibility by the Football Association.

“The mood of the clubs first and foremost is that under-21 teams or B teams will not ever be let in the league,” said Kavanagh.

“I would never vote for this and it is sacrosanct in my opinion.

“Other clubs have stronger views than me and last year because of the FA suggesting this we all voted through a rule that meant 90 per cent of clubs would have to vote in favour for it to happen. And I simply cannot see that happening ever.”

However, Kavanagh did acknowledge that the Football League clubs needed to continue to work alongside the Premier League.

“We need the Premier League, we need to be their friends and stop seeing them as the enemy,” said Kavanagh.

“I don’t like taking their money but the reason people dislike them is because they have money and we aren’t even on the breadline.

“We need in excess of £1million a year to stand still and to compete and move the club forward we need money.

“We also need to reduce the reliance on owners putting in vast sums and through having better relationships we are slowly getting more money fed down to us.”

The under-21 sides, who will play their home Trophy games at the first team’s ground, will not get the full share of the gate receipts as they will be placed into a pot and shared evenly among all clubs.

But Kavanagh understands there is no guarantee it will work.

“If we see problems coming up then we will vote no next year,” said Kavanagh.

“Is this ideal? No. But would it come at us in a worse way if we don’t lead and take control? Yes.

“So on balance and given it’s never perfect I listened to all the debate and arguments and voted for it.”