The EFL have confirmed that the format of the EFL Trophy in the 2016-17 season will include 16 invited teams from the clubs with Category One Academies.
The new layout of the competition will see clubs from Leagues One and Two playing against the Category One academies, starting with a group format before a final staged at Wembley in April.
the 16 groups of four teams will each be made up of an academy side with he top two from each qualifying for the first knockout round of 32 teams.
The first group stage draw will take place in due course and be released by the EFL.
The trophy competition will see it rebranded for the fourth coming season as the EFL Trophy as last season it was known as The Football League Trophy and sponsored by long term loyal business Johnstone’s Paint for a number of years will be no more.
Who are the 16?
- Arsenal
- Chelsea
- Everton
- Leicester City
- Liverpool
- Manchester City
- Manchester United
- Middlesbrough
- Newcastle United
- Southampton
- Stoke City
- Sunderland
- Swansea City
- Tottenham Hotspur
- West Bromwich Albion
- West Ham United
How has this decision been made?
The decision was made by the powers above by a simple vote to every club that is effected by the change of competition layout and the majority of votes went towards the board of directors making the decision on the committee.
What have clubs had to say about the verdict?
Doncaster – “Our position was that we didn’t support it,”
Grimsby Town – “It is a progressive move by both leagues; one that we welcome.”
Coventry City – “I haven’t got a problem with it. They are academy teams who will be very well coached and the football is not always about the result, rather the development of their players.
Accrington Stanley – vociferously against the proposals
Luton Town – “Unfortunately, the old JPT was in a state of flux so some change was indeed necessary to avoid losing the competition altogether.”
Shrewsbury Town – “The move is not a step towards getting Premier League club’s under-21 teams into the Football League on a full-time basis.”
