Walsall Football Club have confirmed that it has submitted its vote on the future format of the controversial Checkatrade Trophy, which underwent structural changes ahead of the 2016/17 campaign.
In a statement, released via their official website Saddlers.co.uk, the club confirm that it has voted to remove the Premier League and Championship teams from the competition.
The statement reads; The EFL have been canvassing League One and Two Clubs’ opinions on the direction in which to take the competition.
The statement reads; The EFL have been canvassing League One and Two Clubs’ opinions on the direction in which to take the competition.
The following options for the 2017-18 and 2018-19 campaigns were voted upon
1) 64-team format to include 16 invited teams
2) 48-team format on a straight knockout basis
3) 48-team format with a group stage followed by knockout rounds
4) Abandon the competition
2) 48-team format on a straight knockout basis
3) 48-team format with a group stage followed by knockout rounds
4) Abandon the competition
As a football club, we voted for Option 3 – to see a return to a 48-team format with a group stage followed by knock-out rounds. We feel this best represents the views of our supporters following a number of consultative exercises undertaken in recent months.
Each club in League One and Two had until 10.00am today to cast their vote and we now await a decision on the outcome of today’s vote.