The Football League has brought in some new rules to try and boost interest in the Johnstones Paint Trophy (LDV Vans Trophy, Football League Trophy) this year.
New Rules For Football League Trophy
The revamped competition sees 32 clubs from League One and League Two divided into four regions, with the other 16 teams being given byes.
The first round ties will be played in the week beginning 16 October.
The new format also sees extra-time scrapped – with drawn matches proceeding straight to penalty shoot-outs if the scores are level after 90 minutes.
And, unlike the last few seasons, Conference National teams are not involved (Sorry Oxford).
Meanwhile, the League has also attempted to curb the practice of clubs fielding weakened teams in the early rounds.
Under competition rules, clubs are required to include a majority of the 11 players that have appeared most often in first-team games during the season.
Swansea are the holders after beating Carlisle 2-1 in last season’s final at Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium.
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