EFL Trophy

A secondary football league competition was launched in the 1981–82 football season as the Football League Group Cup, which ran as an invitation tournament for 32 clubs from all four levels of the football league. The format was a group stage and knockout tournament. This format ran for two seasons.{{cite book|editor-last1=Bateson|editor-first1=Bill|editor-last2=Sewell |editor-first2=Albert|title=News of the World Football Annual 1992–93|publisher=Invincible Press|date=1992|isbn=9780855431884|location=London|page=211}}{{cite web|date=20 December 2007|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablest/texaco.html|website=RSSSF|title=Football League Group Cup/Trophy 1982-83|first=James M.|last=Ross|access-date=12 November 2020|archive-date=21 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170921045939/http://www.rsssf.com/tablest/texaco.html|url-status=live}} For the 1983–84 season the tournament was reconstituted as the Associate Members' Cup. The group stage was removed and open only to teams from levels 3 and 4 of the football pyramid. The group stage was subsequently reintroduced in 1985 and later removed in 1996. In 2016 the group stage was brought back. Between 2000 and 2006 teams from level 5 (step 1) of the football pyramid were invited to participate.

In 1992 the tournament rebranded as the Football League Trophy, coinciding with a reorganization following the decision of the First Division clubs at the time to form the Premier League.{{cite web|title=English Autoglass Trophy 1991–1992: Results|url=http://www.statto.com/football/stats/england/football-league-trophy/1991-1992/results|website=Statto|access-date=30 January 2015|archive-date=17 March 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140317032505/http://www.statto.com/football/stats/england/football-league-trophy/1991-1992/results|url-status=live}}

In 2016 the competition rebranded to the current EFL Trophy after The Football League rebranding as the English Football League.{{Cite web|date=12 November 2015|title=FOOTBALL LEAGUE TO BE RE-NAMED THE ENGLISH FOOTBALL LEAGUE|url=http://www.efl.com/news/article/2015/football-league-to-be-re-named-the-english-football-league-2798210.aspx|website=English Football League|access-date=23 December 2015|archive-date=10 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160810201223/http://www.efl.com/news/article/2015/football-league-to-be-re-named-the-english-football-league-2798210.aspx|url-status=live}} The first season under the new name saw 16 Category One academies of Premier League and EFL Championship clubs join the competition.{{cite web|date=10 June 2016|title=Premier League academy teams to be added to EFL Trophy|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36503204|website=BBC Sport|access-date=1 August 2020|archive-date=2 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201102091214/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36503204|url-status=live}}

In 2023 participating clubs received a £20,000 participation fee, with £10,000 per victory and £5,000 per draw in the group stage, and increasing prizes for the knockout matches up to £100,000 for winning the final.{{Cite news |last=Unwin |first=Will |date=2023-10-10 |title='There is a bigger picture': why teams still want a cut of the EFL Trophy |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2023/oct/10/prize-money-and-player-development-why-the-efl-trophy-is-on-the-rise |access-date=2023-11-06 |issn=0261-3077}}

32 invited teams from the four levels of the football league were split into eight regional groups of four teams each, with three round-robin games played by each side. The eight group winners qualified for the quarter-finals, and the knockout stages were played as a single leg, with the game going to extra time and penalties if necessary. The final was played on the home ground of one of the two teams.{{cite web |url-status=dead |url=http://www.statto.com/football/stats/england/football-league-trophy/1981-1982/results/r1-g1 |title=English Football League Trophy 1981-1982 First Round Group 1 |website=statto.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131225072658/http://www.statto.com/football/stats/england/football-league-trophy/1981-1982/results/r1-g1 |archive-date=25 December 2013 }}

The 48 clubs of the Third and Fourth Divisions were split into North and South sections of 24 teams each. The first round had 12 knockout ties in each section, and the second had six. In each section, the two second-round losers with the 'narrowest' defeats were reprieved and joined the six other clubs in the regional quarter-finals.{{cite web|url=http://www.statto.com/football/stats/england/football-league-trophy/1983-1984/results/s.r2|title=English Associate Members Cup 1983-1984 Southern Second Round |website=statto.com |access-date=8 December 2018|archive-date=24 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141024070153/http://www.statto.com/football/stats/england/football-league-trophy/1983-1984/results/s.r2|url-status=dead }}

For the 1985–86 edition, 8 three-team groups were introduced in each of the two sections. Teams played one home and one away game and the group winners proceeded to the regional knockout stages.{{cite web|title=English Freight Rover Trophy 1985-1986 Northern First Round Group 1|url=http://www.statto.com/football/stats/england/football-league-trophy/1985-1986/results/n.r1-g1|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141024070205/http://www.statto.com/football/stats/england/football-league-trophy/1985-1986/results/n.r1-g1|archive-date=24 October 2014|website=Statto|access-date=30 September 2017}} This was modified in the following season, with two teams qualifying from each group, resulting in an additional 'round of 16' knockout stage in each section.{{cite web|title=English Freight Rover Trophy 1986-1987 Southern First Round|url=http://www.statto.com/football/stats/england/football-league-trophy/1986-1987/results/s.r1|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141024070201/http://www.statto.com/football/stats/england/football-league-trophy/1986-1987/results/s.r1|archive-date=24 October 2014|website=Statto|access-date=8 December 2018}}

For a number of seasons in the early to mid-1990s, the competition ran with seven 3-team groups, two teams in each section receiving a bye into the knockout stages. This was a direct result of the folding of Aldershot and Maidstone United necessitating a reorganisation of the competition to accommodate fewer than 48 teams in the tournament.{{cite web|title=English Autoglass Trophy 1993-1994 Northern First Round Group 5|url=http://www.statto.com/football/stats/england/football-league-trophy/1993-1994/results/n.r1-g5|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090303231120/http://www.statto.com/football/stats/england/football-league-trophy/1993-1994/results/n.r1-g5|archive-date=3 March 2009|website=Statto|access-date=8 December 2018}}

The group phase was abolished for the 1996–97 edition. The regional sections were retained and 8 teams in each section received a bye to the second round.

For the 2000–01 season, 8 teams in level 5 (step 1) of the football pyramid were invited to participate in the tournament, resulting in 12 ties in each of the north/south sections in the first round, with only four teams in each section receiving a bye into the second round. The number of invitees increased to 12 from 2002–03, resulting in 14 first-round ties, and two teams in each regional section gaining a bye into the second round.

The teams from the Conference invited by season are as follows:[http://www.statto.com/football/stats/england/football-league-trophy/2004-2005/results/s.r1 2004–05 Southern 1st Rnd results, and links to other rounds/seasons – statto.com] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100106012717/http://www.statto.com/football/stats/england/football-league-trophy/2004-2005/results/s.r1 |date=6 January 2010 }}

• 2000–01: Chester City, Doncaster Rovers, Dover Athletic, Hereford United, Morecambe, Rushden & Diamonds, Scarborough, Yeovil Town
• 2001–02: Barnet, Dagenham & Redbridge, Doncaster Rovers, Leigh RMI, Scarborough, Southport, Stevenage Borough, Yeovil Town
• 2002–03: Chester City, Dagenham & Redbridge, Doncaster Rovers, Halifax Town, Hereford United, Leigh RMI, Morecambe, Scarborough, Southport, Stevenage Borough, Woking, Yeovil Town
• 2003–04: Barnet, Chester City, Dagenham & Redbridge, Exeter City, Forest Green Rovers, Halifax Town, Hereford United, Morecambe, Scarborough, Shrewsbury Town, Stevenage Borough, Telford United
• 2004–05: Accrington Stanley, Aldershot Town, Barnet, Carlisle United, Dagenham & Redbridge, Exeter City, Hereford United, Morecambe, Scarborough, Stevenage Borough, Woking, York City
• 2005–06: Accrington Stanley, Aldershot Town, Cambridge United, Crawley Town, Dagenham & Redbridge, Exeter City, Halifax Town, Hereford United, Kidderminster Harriers, Morecambe, Stevenage Borough, Woking

For the 2006–07 tournament onward, the Conference team invitations were abolished. This resulted in the format reverting to 8 first-round matches in each section, and 8 sides receiving byes to the second round.{{cite web|title=English LDV Vans Trophy 2002-2003 Northern First Round|url=http://www.statto.com/football/stats/england/football-league-trophy/2002-2003/results/n.r1|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141024070159/http://www.statto.com/football/stats/england/football-league-trophy/2002-2003/results/n.r1|archive-date=24 October 2014|website=Statto|access-date=8 December 2018}}

64 teams enter from Round One; all 48 teams from levels three and four of the football pyramid (League One and League Two), along with 16 category 1 Premier League and EFL Championship academy/under-21 sides. 16 regional groups of four teams split evenly 8 northern and 8 southern. Each of the groups contains one academy team. The top two from each group progress to the knockout stages; up to and including the quarter-final the tournament remains regionalised before becoming an open draw from the semi-finals onwards.{{cite web |title=EFL Trophy Regulations |date=9 January 2024 |url=https://www.efl.com/news/2024/january/09/bristol-street-motors-trophy--quarter-final-draw/ |archive-url= |archive-date= |access-date=11 January 2024 |publisher=English Football League}}

During the group phase, if the scores are level at the end of the match, then penalties are taken immediately without recourse to extra time. The winning team is awarded 2 points and the losing team 1 point. During the knock-out phase, up to but not including the final, if the scores are level at the end of the match the winner is decided by penalties. In the final, if the scores are equal after 90 minutes an extra 30 minutes are played and if still equal the winner is then decided by penalties.

The following academy teams have competed:

• Current (2023–24): Arsenal (since 2018–19), Aston Villa (since 2019–20), Brighton & Hove Albion (since 2016–17), Chelsea (since 2016–17), Crystal Palace (since 2021–22), Everton (from 2016–17 to 2019–20 and since 2021–22), Fulham (from 2017–18 to 2020–21 and since 2023–24), Leicester City (since 2016–17), Liverpool (since 2019–20), Manchester City (since 2017–18), Manchester United (since 2019–20), Newcastle United (since 2017–18), Nottingham Forest (since 2023–24), Tottenham Hotspur (from 2017–18 to 2019–20 and since 2021–22), West Ham United (since 2016–17), Wolverhampton Wanderers (from 2016–17 and since 2018–19)
• Former: Blackburn Rovers (from 2016–17), Derby County (from 2016–17), Norwich City (from 2016–17 and from 2019–20 to 2020–21), Leeds United (from 2021–22 to 2022–23), Middlesbrough (from 2016–17 to 2018–19), Reading (from 2016–17 to 2017–18), Southampton (from 2016–17 to 2022–23), Stoke City (from 2016–17 to 2018–19), Sunderland (from 2016–17 to 2017–18), Swansea City (from 2016–17 to 2018–19), West Bromwich Albion (from 2016–17 to 2018–19 and from 2020–21)

{{main|List of EFL Trophy finals}}

The final of the EFL Trophy is currently held at Wembley Stadium in London, the English national stadium. The final in 1984 was due to be played at the then Wembley Stadium, but owing to damage caused to the pitch during the Horse of the Year Show, it was moved to Boothferry Park in Hull.{{Cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/p/portsmouth/7674863.stm |title=Harry Redknapp comments on BBC Radio Solent |date=17 October 2008 |access-date=15 November 2019 |archive-date=20 October 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081020112317/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/p/portsmouth/7674863.stm |url-status=live }} The Football League Group Cup finals were played at Blundell Park in 1982 and Sincil Bank in 1983. From 2001 to 2007, during the rebuilding of the former Wembley, the Football League Trophy finals were played at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff.{{citation needed|date=March 2015}}

List of tournament winners:{{cite web|url=https://www.efl.com/competitions/vertu-trophy/previous-finals/ |title=Previous Finals |publisher=EFL |access-date=14 April 2025}}{{cite web|url=https://www.fchd.info/cups/flgroupcupsummary.htm |title=Football League Group Cup Summary (1981–1983) |website=Football Club History Database |access-date=31 January 2024}}{{cite web|url=https://www.fchd.info/cups/fltrophysummary.htm |title=Football League Trophy Summary (1983–2016) |website=Football Club History Database |access-date=31 January 2024}}

{{div col|colwidth=22em}}

• 1981–82: Grimsby Town
• 1982–83: Millwall
• 1983–84: Bournemouth
• 1984–85: Wigan Athletic
• 1985–86: Bristol City
• 1986–87: Mansfield Town
• 1987–88: Wolverhampton Wanderers
• 1988–89: Bolton Wanderers
• 1989–90: Tranmere Rovers
• 1990–91: Birmingham City
• 1991–92: Stoke City
• 1992–93: Port Vale
• 1993–94: Swansea City
• 1994–95: Birmingham City (2)
• 1995–96: Rotherham United
• 1996–97: Carlisle United
• 1997–98: Grimsby Town (2)
• 1998–99: Wigan Athletic (2)
• 1999–2000: Stoke City (2)
• 2000–01: Port Vale (2)
• 2001–02: Blackpool
• 2002–03: Bristol City (2)
• 2003–04: Blackpool (2)
• 2004–05: Wrexham
• 2005–06: Swansea City (2)
• 2006–07: Doncaster Rovers
• 2007–08: Milton Keynes Dons
• 2008–09: Luton Town
• 2009–10: Southampton
• 2010–11: Carlisle United (2)
• 2011–12: Chesterfield
• 2012–13: Crewe Alexandra
• 2013–14: Peterborough United
• 2014–15: Bristol City (3)
• 2015–16: Barnsley
• 2016–17: Coventry City
• 2017–18: Lincoln City
• 2018–19: Portsmouth
• 2019–20: Salford City
• 2020–21: Sunderland
• 2021–22: Rotherham United (2)
• 2022–23: Bolton Wanderers (2)
• 2023–24: Peterborough United (2)
• 2024–25: Peterborough United (3)

{{div col end}}

The overall record attendance for the final is 85,021, set at the Wembley Stadium in 2019 by Portsmouth and Sunderland. The record attendance for the final at the original Wembley Stadium was 80,841, set in the 1988 final between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Burnley.{{cite news | url=https://www.expressandstar.com/sport/2015/02/25/wolves-a-trip-down-wembley-lane/ | newspaper=Express & Star | title=Wolves - A trip down Wembley lane | date=25 February 2015 | access-date=9 July 2015 | archive-date=10 July 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150710211634/http://www.expressandstar.com/sport/2015/02/25/wolves-a-trip-down-wembley-lane/ | url-status=live }} The record attendance for the final at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff was 59,024, set in the 2007 final between Bristol Rovers and Doncaster Rovers.{{cite news | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/6514043.stm | title=Bristol Rovers 2-3 Doncaster AET | work=BBC Sport | first=Ian | last=Hughes | date=2007-04-01 | access-date=2019-04-01 | archive-date=24 January 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210124042558/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/6514043.stm | url-status=live }} The 2020 and 2021 finals were played behind closed doors, but clubs raised money for charity by selling supporters virtual tickets.{{Cite web|title=Finalists' fundraisers a huge success|url=https://www.efl.com/news/2021/march/finalists-fundraisers-a-huge-success/|access-date=2021-03-10|website=www.efl.com|language=en-gb|archive-date=12 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210412010321/https://www.efl.com/news/2021/march/finalists-fundraisers-a-huge-success/|url-status=live}}

The highest attendance for any game apart from the final came on 5 February 2013 for the Northern Area final, when Coventry City lost to Crewe Alexandra 3–0 at the Ricoh Arena in Coventry (they later won the away leg 2–0, going down 3–2 on aggregate), in front of a crowd of 31,054.{{cite news|title=Coventry 0–3 Crewe|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/21241386|work=BBC Sport|date=2 May 2013|access-date=2 May 2013|archive-date=13 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160113015134/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/21241386|url-status=live}}

The lowest attendance in the history of the competition (excluding those affected by pandemic restrictions) came during the 2018–19 season when just 202 attended a Middlesbrough academy team's 1–0 victory against Burton Albion in November 2018 at Burton's Pirelli Stadium.{{cite web | url = http://www.espn.com.au/football/match?gameId=523999 | title = 2018/19 EFL Trophy, Group Stage: Burton Albion vs Middlesbrough U21 | publisher = ESPN | date = 2018-11-08 | access-date = 2019-04-01 | archive-date = 1 April 2019 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190401105244/http://www.espn.com.au/football/match?gameId=523999 | url-status = live }}{{cite web | url=https://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/portsmouth-sunderland-worst-checkatrade-efl-trophy-final | title=Why Portsmouth vs Sunderland is the worst possible EFL Trophy final | publisher=www.fourfourtwo.com | first=Chris | last=Weatherspoon | date=2019-03-29 | access-date=2019-04-01 | archive-date=1 April 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190401070801/https://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/portsmouth-sunderland-worst-checkatrade-efl-trophy-final | url-status=live }}

From 1984 to the present (except from 1981–84), the League Trophy has attracted title sponsorship, giving it the following names:

{{notelist}}

• Full Members' Cup
• Football League Third Division North Cup
• Football League Third Division South Cup

{{reflist}}

{{Commons category}}

• {{official website|https://www.efl.com/competitions/bristol-street-motors-trophy}}

{{EFL Trophy}}

{{Football in England}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:EFL Trophy}}

Category:Football cup competitions in England

Category:English Football League

Category:1984 establishments in England

Category:Recurring sporting events established in 1984

Category:1984 establishments in Wales