Checkatrade Trophy group draw complete, fixtures announced

The draw for the group stage of the Checkatrade Trophy is now complete, and Middlesbrough U21 will join Wigan, Accrington and Blackpool in North Group B.

The main draw was made last week, with participating academy sides allocated groups today.

And as the fixtures have now been confirmed, we also know when and where Latics will play each team in their group… pretty much, since dates are to be confirmed.

First up is Blackpool away on 29 August (grin), then Middlesbrough U21 at the DW on 3 October. Finishing up the group stages we have Accrington Stanley on 7 November.

Elsewhere, Man City U21 will play in North Group F with Bradford, Chesterfield and Rotherham, while the Tottenham academy side has been grouped with Wimbledon, Barnet and Luton in South Group F.

Sunday League clubs will enter the competition in the second round, with five a side and Subbuteo teams entering in the third round.

Nah, not really – it’s actually women’s teams that enter in the second round and county cricket teams that enter in the third.

Man, this is the joke that never gets old…

In all seriousness, though, we wish to reserve judgement until after we’ve sampled the competition itself. Until such time, keep checkin’ those trades and bemoaning the fact this competition isn’t called the Microsoft Paint Trophy anymore.