I wonder what newcomers make of this? i.e the teams formed to 'develop' our elite English talent.

For me, I think youngsters are best off loaned. That gives them greater chance working in and around the established pros, plus the majority of academies release the players - only for them to be never heard of again, so I am unsure how this suites anyone? I guess it depends on the reception the opening games get, will fans eventually warm to the idea? I don't think so.

As for the leaked document, I'm unsure why its being made a fuss of - most of the content was mentioned in the appeal to get lower teams in favour.

As this is supposed to help English football, am I assuming correctly that these academy teams will have to play English players only? Otherwise, what is the point? Especially when the likes of Man Utd and Chelsea have academies stocked with foreign youngsters 

As this is supposed to help English football, am I assuming correctly that these academy teams will have to play English players only? Otherwise, what is the point? Especially when the likes of Man Utd and Chelsea have academies stocked with foreign youngsters 

I think the only rule is that they are allowed a certain amount of overage players, there won't be any rules about nationality I don't believe, but what you are saying is very true, the premiership academy system is getting as bad as the first teams, most of the players are foreign

This is the official one http://mobile.nottscountyfc.co.uk//news/article/2016-17/efl-trophy-format-confirmed-for-201617-3171075.aspx?platform=hootsuite

The only good things I can see which makes me more accepting of it is more chance of a cheap away day, ive not had much chance to visit away grounds in the past, and the chance of getting more money, to win a group with a 1 is 2 league 1 clubs, 1 or 2 league 2 clubs and an academy will bank us 100k, that's the price of another Izale!

The prize money is 1.9m, for a win you get 10k and a draw you get 5k... Its all about money

Nothing new there @ohstanleyaborah as soon as the 'big' boys get involved its all its ever about , they should use the young players or loan them out for a season to develop them , that's my thoughts tho . 

The annoying thing is we have no choice but to play at least 5 first team players

Yeah that is annoying, especially if injuries occur, not sure I even like that competition at all anyway, I know at the end if ya get that far it's a good occasion and yes I would go , not enough positives in it for me I'm afraid.

The money will be little comfort if a first team player gets injured.

For any of you who still think B teams will make the competition more attractive, here are the average attendances of some of the top B teams in Germany (where they play in the league system against proper clubs):

Bayern Munich II - 1373

Borussia Mönchengladbach II - 516

Schalke II - 374

Hamburg II - 273

Hertha Berlin II - 479

And their matches are played almost exclusively on Saturdays! When these teams visit, the away end is usually completely empty. This isn't football, this is a humiliation. If Chelsea have more young players than they know what to do with, they should allow them to move elsewhere to get match practice and develop, not butcher our league system.

@DangerousSausage good research and points well made , I agree . 

The Academy sides have been invited to take part, but it looks like Liverpool are going to turn down the invite. So it's not just the fans that don't want this!

Allegedly Arsenal, Chelsea and Spurs have pulled out and Msn Utd may

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Ive heard Liverpool are part of that group that are pulling out! Its not just the fans that don't want it! Ive also heard if 2 more teams pull out then they won't have enough category 1 teams to take part

I would love to see this shameful 'B' team initiative fall flat on it's face.