‘There is a bigger picture’: why teams still want a cut of the EFL Trophy

Clockwise from top left: Max Sanders of Leyton Orient tackles Gillingham’s Connor Mahoney during the EFL Trophy match in September, Elias Kachunga of Bolton lifts last season’s trophy, Barnsley’s Nathan James and Kane Taylor of Manchester City U21s, Stockport v Manchester United U21s at Edgeley Park, Jon Dadi Bodvarsson scores for Bolton against Manchester United U21s. Composite: Getty, Shutterstock

Whether it is Auto Windscreens, LDV Vans, Johnstone’s Paint, Checkatrade, Papa John’s or even, post-apostrophe-removing-rebrand, Papa Johns, it seems the EFL Trophy sponsors are often more memorable than the competition itself. The early matches pass without notice as Premier League under-21 sides face League Two journeymen in forgettable Tuesday night matches in autumn.

For many who support the bigger clubs in League One it can be seen as an insult to be in the EFL Trophy when they drop down from the Championship, while fourth-tier clubs fear it could be a distraction from a promotion push. The competition has two main selling points for lower-league clubs: it is generally profitable and offers a rare chance to reach Wembley.