U21s Grouped With Luton, Peterborough and Colchester in EFL Trophy
Thursday, 25th Jun 2026 14:39

Town’s U21s have been grouped with Luton Town, Peterborough United and Colchester United in the EFL Trophy.

Former Blues and U’s skipper Luke Chambers took part in this afternoon’s draw alongside former Bolton Wanderers and West Ham midfielder Kevin Nolan.

John McGreal and Chris Casement’s side, who will be competing in the competition for the first time, will play all their fixtures away from home.

The group stages will be played from early September, the round of 32 from the week commencing 7th December, the round of 16 in the week commencing 11th January, the quarter-finals in the week commencing 15th February, the semi-finals in the week commencing 8th March and the final on Sunday 11th April.

The top two from each group progress to the knockout stage with the competition remaining regionalised until the quarter-finals.

The other clubs whose U21s sides will play in the competition are Arsenal, Aston Villa, Brentford, Brighton & Hove Albion, Chelsea, Crystal Palace, Everton, Fulham, Leeds United, Liverpool, Manchester City, Newcastle United, Nottingham Forest, Sunderland and Tottenham Hotspur.

Alongside Town, Brentford and Sunderland weren't involved in last season's competition with Manchester United, West Ham United and Wolverhampton Wanderers dropping out.

During their time in League One, the Town first team faced the likes of Arsenal and West Ham's U21s in the competition, then known as the Papa Johns Trophy.

Photo: TWTD

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Pettabelieveit added 14:50 - Jun 25 And to think we were playing U21 sides only a few years ago.. Some progress the club has made and a good opportunity to pause and look forward to a second attempt in 3 seasons at staying in the promised land of the Premier League.
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jas0999 added 14:59 - Jun 25 Shows how far we have progressed as a club. Will be good to watch some of these games.
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StowTractor added 15:17 - Jun 25 There were only 2 groups that made any sense for Town to be in, the other having Cambridge and Northampton it in. As ex Town and Us player Chambo made sure the right thing happened!!!!
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Miaow added 15:59 - Jun 25 Does this mean our U21s will be playing an away fixture at their "home" stadium (Colchester)?...
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Hermann_eats_puffin added 16:08 - Jun 25 This is good news for the future progression of the U21s and good luck to them! The draw seems to have given us a tough group and I'd of preferred to get the group of Cambridge, Northampton and Gillingham but good luck to the U21s in this competition!
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runningout added 17:08 - Jun 25 require reinforcements
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Tampa_Florida_Blue added 17:32 - Jun 25 Good point Miaow
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armchaircritic59 added 18:39 - Jun 25 Miaow, touches of the San Siro there, except that's even more unusual!
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OliveR16 added 21:35 - Jun 25 Pettabelieveit - to see our progress in reverse, Leicester (first team) were in the draw having previously had their U21 side in it.
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Hermann_eats_puffin added 21:43 - Jun 25 Just in case anybody knows are the U21s also playing in some form of European competition or n the coming season?
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StowTractor added 10:04 - Jun 26

Hermann yes according to the EADT "The top 16 of the PL2 are invited to take part in the Premier League International Cup next season. That sees the top English academy sides battle others from across Europe in group stages before knock-out rounds.
That's an invitation we understand the club will accept, bringing European football back to Portman Road after two decades.
All games in the competition are played on English soil. Borussia Dortmund are the current champions, with the likes of Real Madrid, PSG and Juventus involved in the season just gone."