Fifteen Premier League clubs will field teams in the Football League Trophy for the first time this season as part of an overhaul of the competition aimed at “assisting” young players’ development. The Football League today confirmed that 16 academy teams, provided by clubs including Manchester United, Manchester City and Chelsea, will make up part of a controversial new format for the tournament, known last season as the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy. Previously only clubs from English football’s third and fourth tiers took part but now the competition will begin with a group stage involving 64 clubs — every team from League…

Source: The Times July 06, 2016 16:06 UTC