Walsall vote in favour to EFL Trophy changes

The Saddlers have backed a new pilot format for the competition, formerly known as the Johnstone's Paint Trophy, which will see Premier League sides enter under-21 teams next season.

In what will be a one-season trial, 16 category one academy teams from the top flight will join the competition which will take on a new group stage format.

The changes were voted for by more than 50 percent of League One and League Two clubs and will see the Premier League increase the prize fund by £1m.

The EFL Trophy has often failed to capture fans' imagination, sparking low attendances, and clubs often host games at a loss.

It is also a competition that no longer has a sponsor after Johnstone's Paint decided not to extend its 10-year deal partnership with the tournament.

However, the tournament it is close to the hearts of Saddlers fans after they watched their team make the final in 2015 - the one and only time the club has played at Wembley.

Walsall today released an eight point statement stating why they voted in favour of the changes but added they would never vote to approve Premier League B teams entering the Football League.

• In its current format, the competition's appeal is declining significantly in terms of interest from football fans, clubs and broadcast partners.

On average, attendances have been dropping year-on-year for the last three years. Broadcast partners who are entitled to cover six games per season have only opted to showcase three fixtures in each of the last two seasons.

• The club viewed the change of format as an opportunity to trial a different format without committing to anything other than a one-year pilot.

• The club reserves the right to vote against U21 teams' further involvement should clubs competing in EFL deem the new format not viable moving forward.

• The club raised concerns at the meeting about the impact it would have in terms of negative perception by supporters and police costs incurred should clubs draw local rivals.

The projected attendance would generate gate receipts lower than the costs associated with the fixture.

• The club also asked our divisional representative to ensure that EFL clubs were not bound to field their strongest team – as per current rules - and could field a side at the complete discretion of our first-team manager.

• Premier League category 1 sides that enter the competition are allowed to field three outfield players and a goalkeeper over the age of 21 in the same way they can for their league fixtures.

This presents an opportunity for supporters to see first team players of Premier League sides feature in the matches.

• Though the club believe this is not the long-term solution, it was the only option put forward and felt it should be explored strictly as part of a single-season pilot scheme.

• In addition to the above, Solidarity payments which EFL teams receive are intrinsically linked to broadcast rights from the Premier League.