We can confirm that our Development Squad has re-entered the EFL Trophy – known as the Papa John’s Trophy – for the forthcoming campaign, with the draw for the group stage pitting us against Oxford United, Cambridge United and Stevenage.
Having competed in the tournament for three seasons between 2017/18 and 2019/20, Wayne Burnett’s charges returns to the fold for 2021/22, with three initial tough games on the horizon following today’s draw to place the 16 invited Under-21 teams from Premier League and Championship clubs into the previously-drawn groups of EFL sides.
We’ve been put into Group H of the southern section along with Oxford United, Cambridge United and Stevenage, and will face each of the three clubs away from home.
The competition, which gives young players a chance to test themselves competitively against senior EFL sides, is initially split into northern and southern sections with 32 teams in each section, divided into eight groups of four. The top two teams from each group advance to the knockout stages.
Dates and ticket information for our fixtures will be confirmed in due course.