The EFL has today (Thursday 4 August 2016) secured a record value partnership with Checkatrade that sees the market leading trade vetting and monitoring website become the Official Title Sponsor of the EFL Trophy.
Checkatrade Trophy The competition has been renamed as the with immediate effect as clubs from Sky Bet League One and League Two get ready to compete with 16 Category 1 Academy teams from the Premier League and the Sky Bet Championship for the first time.
will see 16 regionalised groups of four teams go head to head in the reinvigorated competition format. Checkatrade TrophyKicking off week commencing 29 August, for the 2016/17 EFL season, the first stage of the
The groups include at least one side from each of Leagues One and Two, alongside one Category 1 Academy team.
at Wembley Stadium on FinalCheckatrade Trophy Of each group, the top two teams will progress into the knockout stages of the competition, with eventual finalists going on to contest the showpiece 2 April 2017.
City's group games in the Northern Group C section of the newly-named Checkatrade Trophy will take place on:
Tuesday 30 August 2016 - Stoke City (H) 7:45pm
Tuesday 4 October 2016 - Bury (H) 7:45pm
Tuesday 8 November 2016 - Morecambe (A) 7:45pm
Shaun Harvey, the Chief Executive of the EFL. Checkatrade Trophysaid: “We are delighted to have signed up Checkatrade as title sponsor for our revamped competition – the
"With credibility and reputation critical to the success of the Checkatrade brand, we feel there are some strong synergies between us both and look forward to developing them throughout the sponsorship term that could run for a five year period.
“With major changes heading the way of the competition in 2016/17, including the introduction of 16 Category 1 sides, this partnership is the perfect platform for Checkatrade. It will also present them with a rare opportunity to be directly associated with cup football in England and a Wembley Final.
an even more attractive prospect for our clubs.”Checkatrade Trophy“Like ourselves, Checkatrade recognise the huge potential in this competition and through their generous support and the changes we have made to the format, we are in a position to be able deliver additional prize money that makes participating in the
Kevin Byrne, Founder and CEO of Checkatrade, said: “As a football fan, it has been a long term goal to partner a well-known English football competition and as many of our listed trades are also fans, this makes our sponsorship of the new Checkatrade Trophy even more exciting.
and we look forward to engaging with fans over the coming season.”Checkatrade Trophy“This considerable sponsorship is the latest step in our marketing strategy to remain firmly in the public eye. We’re delighted to be associated with so many well respected and prestigious clubs participating in the