There has been much argument, criticism and discussion about and since the inclusion of academy sides into the EFL Trophy for the 2016/17 competition which some fans thought was/is an attempt to allow B teams or under 21 teams in the English Football Pyramid.
Love it or hate it - it is seemingly here to stay and for this season
Arsenal, Aston Villa, Brighton & Hove Albion, Chelsea, Fulham, Leeds United, Leicester City, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, Newcastle United, Norwich City, Southampton, West Bromwich Albion, West Ham United and Wolverhampton Wanderers are the category one teams who entered.
The trophy began in the 1983/84 season as the Associate Members Trophy but in 1992 when lower league clubs were granted full membership to the football league it became the Football League Trophy. It's been known for sponsorship reasons as the Freight Rover Trophy, Sherpa Van Trophy, Leyland DAF Cup, Autoglass Trophy, Auto Windscreens Shield, LDV Vans Trophy, Johnstone's Pair Trophy, Checkatrade Trophy, Leasing.com Trophy and now the Papa John's Trophy.
AFC Bournemouth, managed by Harry Redknapp, won the first final in beating Hull City 2-1 at Boothferry Park in front of 6,544 people.
The attendance records are 85,021 who saw the 2019 Portsmouth v Sunderland final at the new Wembley Stadium. 59,024 saw Doncaster Rovers beat Bristol Rovers in 2007 at the Millenium Stadium. At the old Wembley in 1988 80,841 people saw Wolverhampton Wanderers beat Burnley.
The 2020 final between Portsmouth (the holders) and Salford City is yet to be played due to the pandemic.
For the 2020/21 competition the following teams have advanced from the group stages. As you can see there is one group game left which sees Bristol Rovers host Chelsea u21 tonight - the result of which will depend on which team goes through.
Fleetwood Town, Sunderland, Salford City, Manchester United u21, Shrewsbury Town, Crewe Alexandra, Port Vale, Tranmere Rovers, Manchester City u21, Lincoln City, Oldham Athletic, Wolverhampton Wanderers u21, Accrington Stanley, Blackpool, Hull City, Leicester City u21, West Ham u21, Portsmouth, Arsenal u21, Gillingham, MK Dons, Northampton Town, Oxford United, Bristol Rovers or Chelsea u21 (depending on the result of the game played tonight), Exeter City, Chelthenham Town, Norwich City u21, Leyton Orient, AFC Wimbledon, Cambridge United and Peterborough United,
BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACADEMY TEAM BY SEASON
16/17
SWANSEA CITY U21 REACHED THE QUARTER-FINAL
where they lost at home on penalty kicks to eventual winners Coventry City after a 1-1 draw.
Where are The Swans team now?
(Age at time of game)
Gerhard Tremmel (38) - The Swans over age player and was by far the oldest player on the pitch. German goalkeeper who was with The Swans from 2011 to 2017.
Tyler Reid (19) - Was with Arsenal and Manchester United prior to his spell with The Swans. He didn't play a first team game and moved to Swindon Town for the 19/20 season spending time on loan with Wrexham. Joined Vanarama National League side Woking this summer.
Joe Rodon (19) - Born in Swansea he played 52 first team games for The Swans and is now a full Welsh International. Joined Tottenham Hotspur for a reported fee of £11,000,000 in the summer.
Keston Davies (20) - Now playing for The New Saints in the Cymru Premier League.
Aaron Lewis (18) - Moved to League One side Lincoln City in 2019 and is currently on loan to Newport County.
Alex Bray (21) - A winger who now plays for Chippenham Town in the Vanarama League South.
Jay Fulton (22) - Still playing for Swansea City where he is now a first team regular. A Scottish under 21 International.
Ryan Blair (20) - Moved from Falkirk to Swansea in 2016 but later moved back North of the border where he now plays for Stenhousemuir.
Owain Jones (20) - Played two football league games for Yeovil Town on loan in the early part of 2017. Was released by The Swans at the end of the 16/17 season and spent time with Merthyr Town. Currently on the books of Cymru Premier side Aberystwyth Town.
George Byers (20) - Still with The Swans where he has was involved in 35 games last season.
Oli McBurnie (20) - Signed for Premier League newcomer's Sheffield United in August 2019 for a reported fee of £17,500,000 which could rise to £20,000,000. Now a full time Scottish International.
SUBS
Botti Biabi (20) - Born in South London but grew up in Scotland where he played for Falkirk. Now with Stenhousemuir via loan spells with Hamilton Academical and Macclesfield Town and a short stay with Ebbsfleet United.
Adnan Maric (19) - Swedish midfielder who now plays in his home country for BK Hacken.
Jordon Garrick (18) - Pacey winger who is still on the books at Swansea City.
UNUSED SUBS
Gregor Zabret (21) - Slovenian goalkeeper released by the club in February 2020. Spent time with Oldham Atheltic in the 19/20 season.
Jack Evans (18) - The midfielder is currently on loan at Cypriot top flight club Pafos. A Welsh under 21 International.
Tom Plezier (20) - Dutch defender who left the club in 2018. Recently moved from NAC Breder u21s to Croation second tier side NK Inter Zapresic.
Tom Holland (19) - Irish midfielder who now plays for The New Saints in the Cymru Premier.
17/18
CHELSEA U21 REACHED THE SEMI-FINALS
where they lost to 4-2 on penalties after a 1-1 draw.
Where are the Chelsea team now?
(Age at time of game)
Marcin Bulka (18) - Polish goalkeeper who was with the Chelsea academy between 2016 to 2019. Joined Paris St Germain and recently signed an extension to his contact to run to 2025. Has only made two appearances for PSG and is currently on loan at Spanish second tier side FC Cartenga.
Dujon Sterling (18) - Islington born right back who has been with Chelsea since under 8 level. An England youth International at u20, u19, u17 and u16 level. He spent the 18/19 season on loan at Coventry City and the 19/20 season with Wigan Athletic.
Richard Nartey (19) - Born in Hammersmith - Released by Chelsea at the end of the 19/20 season much of which he spent on loan at Burton Albion. Currently without a club he played for Burnley u23s in a recent trial with the Turf Moor club.
Ethan Amapadu (17) - Will spend the 2020/21 season on loan at Sheffield United. Was on loan with RB Leipzig in Germany last campaign but only made a handful of appearances. Signed a five year contact with Chelsea in 2018. A full Welsh International it only seems a matter of time before he is in the first team squad at Stamford Bridge.
Reece James (18) - The most well known player in the team along with Hudson-Odoi. The right back has been with Chelsea since the age of six and is now a first team regular as well as a full England International. The 2018/19 season was spent on loan with Wigan Athletic.
Ruben Sammut (20) - Released by Chelsea in 2019 after time on loan with Falkirk. Spent the 19/20 season in League One with Sunderland but didn't make a first team appearance. The midfielder is now on the books of Vanarama National League side Dulwich Hamlet.
Trevor Chalobah (18) - The midfielder has had successful loan spells with Ipswich Town and Huddersfield Town and signed a new contact with Chelsea in September. He is currently on loan with French side Lorient.
Juan Castillo (18) - Dutch defender still on the Chelsea books. He is on loan to Jong AZ the reserve side of AZ Alkmaar.
Harvey St Clair (19) - Born in Kingston-Upon-Thames he was released by Chelsea in 2018. A Scottish u21 International now playing for Italian Serie B side Venezia. Spent last season on loan with Kilmarnock
Calum Hudson Odoi (17) - Born in Wandsworth and now a firm fixture in the first team squad as well as being a full England International.
Daishawn Redwan (17) - Dutch forward who had only just turned 17 at the time of this match. Released in 2019 - Now with Hertha Berlin in Germany - spent time on loan in Holland recently with FC Groningen.
SUBS
Jacob Maddox (19) - Spent the 18/19 season with Cheltenham Town where he was a first team regular. Released by Chelsea in the summer - Now plays for Vitoria SC in the Portuguese Primeira League.
Kylian Hazard (22) - Brother of Eden, Thorgan and Ethan. Left Chelsea in 2019 and now plays in Belgium for Cercle Brugge
UNUSED SUBS
Nicolas Tie (16) - Left Chelsea in August for Vitoria SC in the Portuguese top tier. Born in France but has represented the Ivory Coast at Youth level.
Joseph Colley (18) - Swedish defender left the club in 2019. Currently with Italian Serie B club Chievo.
Joshua Grant (19) - Midfielder released in the summer after loan spells with Yeovil Town and Plymouth Argyle. The Brixton born player obviously likes the west country as he signed a three year deal with Bristol Rovers in July and is now a first team regular with The Pirates.
Isaac Christie-Davies (20) - Moved to Liverpool in 2018 but was released this summer whereby he signed a three year contract with Barnsley.
Cole Da Silva (18) - Moved to Chelsea from Luton Town (then in the Conference Premier) in 2012 with twin brother Rio and older brother Jay in a much publicised triple transfer deal where it was reported a five figure fee was paid for each sibling. Cole left Chelsea in 2018 where he signed for Brentford 'B' whom he left in July 2020. Rio is currently playing for Hitchin Town and Jay (who captained England u19 to the European Championship title in 2017) is with Bristol City where he signed four year contract in 2019.
18/19
MANCHESTER CITY U21 REACHED THE QUARTER FINALS
where they lost at Sunderland 2-0
Where are the Manchester City team now?
(Age at time of game)
Daniel Grimshaw (21) - Goalkeeper spent time on loan with Vanarama South side Hemel Hempstead Town last season. Currently on a season long loan with Belgium second tier side SK Lommel who are part of the 'City Group' umbrella.
Jeremie Frimpong (19) - Right Back who signed a four year deal with Celtic in 2019. Now a firm fixture in the first team at Celtic Park.
Colin Rosler (18) - Son of form City striker Uwe Rosler. He left City in 2019 and now plays for NAC Breda in Holland. Born in Germany - He played for England at under 16 level but has since played for Norway up to under 21 level.
Taylor Harwood Bellis (16) - Defender still on the books at Manchester City. Came off the bench in a Champions League group game last season and scored agianst Port Vale in the Emirates FA Cup.
Nathanael Ogbeta (17) - Midfielder still with Manchester City.
Iker Pozo (18) - Spanish midfielder yet to make a first team appearance and currently on loan with FC Eindhoven in Holland.
Tom Dele-Bashiru (19) - Joined Watford in June 2019 after his deal at City expired - He signed a six year contract with The Hornets. Recently suffered an ACL injury which has put him out of the game for at least six months.
Tomas Doyle (17) - England youth international. The midfielder recently extended his contact to 2025. He came on as a substitute in a Premier League game in July 2020.
Benjamin Garre (18) - Argentinian left footed attacker who left City in 2019. He now plays for Racing Club in the top tier of Argentinian football.
Nabili Zoubdi (18) - Spanish centre-forward who recently left City. He joined Espanyol 'B' who play in the Spanish third team.
Jayden Braaf (16) - Touted by some as the next Jadon Sancho. The dutch winger came through the ranks at Ajax and PSV Eindhoven before signing for City in 2018.
SUBS
Alpha Dionkou (17) - Senegalese right back who is still with Manchester City.
Adrian Bernabe (17) - Spanish attacking midfielder who is still with Manchester City. An under 17 international player.
Ben Knight (16) - City signed Knight for a reported deal of around £1,000,000 from Ipswich Town when he was only 16 years old. A diminutive and skilful forward who looks to have a big future in the game.
UNUSED SUBS
Tyeke Wilson (19) - Irish defender who left City in the summer and joined League of Ireland side Waterford.
Henri Ogunby (17) - Centre forward released by City in January 2020 where he joined Burnley.
Rowan McDonald (17) - Centre back still within the academy ranks at Manchester City.
19/20
LEICESTER CITY U21 REACHED THE QUARTER-FINALS
where they lost 1-0 at Newport County.
Where are the Leicester City team now?
(Age at time of game)
Viktor Johansson (21) - Swedish goalkeeper who was released by Leicester at the end of the 19/20 season. Signed for Rotherham United in the summer.
Vontae Daley-Campbell (18) - Right back who joined from the Arsenal academy in 2019.
Darnell Johnson (21) - An England youth International - is currently on loan with Wigan Athletic.
Calvin Bassey (20) - Born in Italy but is also eligible to play Internationally for England and Nigeria. Signed for Rangers in the summer where he had made a number of first team appearances for the Scottish side.
Luke Thomas (18) - Left back still with Leicester City.
Darragh O'Connor (20) - Irish defender who is in The Foxes Premier League 2 squad this season.
Matty James (28) - Leicester's over age player for this game. The former Manchester Untied youth player has made over 100 first team appearances but has joined Barnsley on loan for the 20/21 season.
Callum Wright (19) - Joined the club in 2018 from Blackburn Rovers.
George Hirst (21) - England youth International who is currently on loan at Rotherham United.
Josh Eppiah (21) - Belgium striker signed a new three year deal with the club prior to joining OH Leuven on loan for the 20/21 season.
Ali Reghba (19) - Winger who joined from League of Ireland side Bohemians in 2019.
SUBS
Thakgalo Leshabela (20) - Signed for the club in 2013 and signed a long term deal in 2019.
Terel Pennant (17) - Midfielder who has come through the ranks at Leicester City.
UNUSED SUBS
Jakub Stolarczyk (19) - Polish midfielder.
Justin Kranthove (19) - Dutch midfielder who was released in the summer.
Connor Tee (19) - Midfielder released in the summer.
SOME FACTS ABOUT THIS YEAR'S COMPETITION
Wolverhampton Wanderers played their record signing in their game at Doncaster Rovers last week. 18 year old Fabio Silva, who signed from Porto in September for a reported fee of £35,000,000 scored the two goals in the 1-2 victory.
Manchester United u21's won 0-6 at Salford City in a Northern Section Group B game. It was an interesting game seeing as City are part owned by Gary Neville, David Beckham, Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs, Phil Neville and Nicky Butt. United's goal-scorers were French midfielder Hannibal Mejbri, 17, who moved to the club in a 5 million euro deal which could rise to 10 million depending on add ons. Spanish midfielder Arnau Pigmal, Mark Helm (2), Charlie McCann and Swedish born Anthony Elanga. United play Morecambe (already eliminated) in their last group game tonight. Salford City (who are still to play the 2020 final) are also through as they won their next two games.
Sunderland are currently top scorers with 14 goals in 3 games thanks to a 8-1 win over Aston Villa u21s in one of their games.
All academy clubs play their first round games away from home.
Four Premier League clubs with Category One academies did not participate - Burnley, Crystal Palace, Everton and Tottenham Hotspur. Sheffield United do not have a category one status so were replaced by championship side Norwich City who received an invite.
THE RULES RE PLAYERS
EFL CLUBS
Each EFL Club shall play its Full Available Strength in and during all Matches.
Full Available Strength means the EFL Club must include at least four Qualifying Players in the ten outfield Players named in the starting eleven on the Team Sheet.
Qualifying Player means any Player who:
1) had started the immediately preceding First Team Fixture (as defined below)
2) subsequently starts the immediately following First Team Fixture
3) is in the list of ten Players at the Club with the highest number of starting appearances in First Team Fixtures in the same Season.
4) has made forty or more starting appearances in First Team Fixtures or international equivalents (and not limited to the same Club or Season);
5) or is on standard loan from a Premier League Club or any EFL Club operating a Category One Academy.
First Team Fixture means the League Competition, Premier League, EFL Cup or FA Challenge Cup but shall, in the context of (3) and (4) only, also include this Competition.
Any EFL Club failing to meet the requirement to play Full Available Strength will be required to pay a fine of up to £5,000
INVITED CLUBS (AKA ACADEMY CLUBS)
Each Invited Club must ensure that in each Match
1) at least six of the starting eleven players named on the Team Sheet are players who were aged under 21 as at the 30th June in the year in which the Season concerned commenced.
2) no more than two players who are aged 21 or over; and have made 40 or more appearances in a First Team Fixture (either in the starting eleven or as a playing substitute) in each case as at the 30th June in the year in which the Season concerned, shall be named on the Team Sheet.
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