2016 Football League Trophy Winners: Barnsley
In an effort to prevent 'too many' domestic league matches being played the Football League outlined plans to reduce the number of clubs playing in the SkyBet Championship, League One and League Two to just 20 clubs pre league as well as form a new League Three to buffer the difference between L2 and the National League.
There were also plans to extend the Football League Trophy (better known as the Johnstone's Paint Trophy) which involves all clubs from the bottom two tiers of the Football League. The competition would be extended to 64 teams and allowing 16 top flight clubs with Grade 1 Academy status to join the competition.
The Premier League teams with Grade 1 Academies are; Arsenal, Chelsea, Crystal Palace, Everton, Hull City, Leicester City, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, Middlesbrough, Southampton, Stoke City, Sunderland, Tottenham, West Bromwich Albion and West Ham United.
In a dramatic U-turn the Football League will trial a new system involving the clubs mentioned above but with a new twist. The competition will begin with a group stage made up of 16 groups containing 4 teams (I assume that each group will include a top flight U-21 side) and from then onwards will become a straight knockout competition. Much like the current FLT, there will be a North and South divide until the showcase final at Wembley.
The only good news that could come of this is the extra prize money that will be 'pump in' from the Premiership. Currently the winner would have earned £500,000 for lifting the trophy but with the top flights involvement they have provided £1M to create a total prize fund of £1,950,000 with other win bonuses included as an incentive.
Time will tell if this reformed competition will work but Sheffield United could potentially be hosting Manchester City Under-21's at Bramall Lane next season.