The 2016–17 EFL Trophy, known as the Checkatrade Trophy for sponsorship reasons,[1] was the 36th season in the history of the competition and the first since being rebranded from Football League Trophy. It was played as a knock-out tournament for English football clubs in League One and League Two of the English football system and for the first time was expanded to include 16 Premier League and Championship "B Teams" with Category One status as part of a trial.
In all, 64 clubs entered the competition. Barnsley were the reigning champions,[2] but were ineligible to defend their title following promotion to the Championship.[3]
Change in format
On 9 June 2016, the newly rebranded EFL announced that the 2016–17 EFL Trophy competition would include sixteen "category 1 Premier League academy sides" for the first time. The first knockout round would also be replaced with a new group stage, the sixteen regional groups each to comprise three League One/Two teams plus an academy side, with the top two teams from each group progressing to the knockout second round.[4]
Following the EFL's announcement of these format changes, many of the invited clubs declined to allow their academies to participate,[5] and their places had to filled by the academy sides of several Championship clubs.
Reception to the new format by League One and Two fans was overwhelmingly negative.[6] The opening rounds of fixtures were marked by record low attendances,[7] and the format changes were described as "a complete and utter failure".[8]
Stadium: The Hawthorns Attendance: 274 Referee: Nigel Miller
Knockout stage
If scores were level after 90 minutes in rounds 2, 3 and 4, the game was determined via a penalty shoot-out.
Round 2
The second round draw was made on 10 November 2016.[13] The 32 remaining teams were drawn into 16 ties; each group winner was at home to a runner-up from a different group within their own region.
