League One and Two clubs have been asked to consider proposals allowing Premier League Under-21 clubs to take part in the Football League Trophy . Clubs were very much against the addition of Premier League B teams to the Football League pyramid when it was suggested in June 2014 , and this has now been put forward as an alternative . The proposal was one of many aired at a recent meeting at St George 's Park to discuss issues arising from the FA Chairman 's England Commission . The Johnstone 's Paint Trophy could involve Premier League ' B ' teams in future if plans get the go-ahead . Youth squads from the likes of Manchester United and Chelsea could soon be headed for the lower-tier cup . If the Football League do bring ' B ' teams into the Johnstone 's Paint Trophy , they could adopt a similar format to that suggested by Greg Dyke last year , meaning teams would : . It would see a change in format for the Trophy , with a group system being brought in . A statement from the Football League clarifying the situation read : 'Clubs have been asked to consider the concept of permitting 16 U21 teams from clubs with category one academies to participate in The Football League Trophy . 'The competition would feature 16 groups of four teams with one U21 team in each group , before a knockout stage leading to a final at Wembley Stadium . 'Given the previous concerns of the League and its clubs about Premier League B teams playing in the pyramid , any final proposal would also be accompanied by a change to the League 's Articles of Association that would protect the current 72 club constitution , save for any changes to promotion/relegation that clubs wished to make . 'Therefore , having provided them with this comfort , clubs willingly debated the potential commercial , financial and player development benefits of having U21 teams in this competition from 2015/16 . Peterborough manager Darren Ferguson holds the trophy last year - but a youth coach win it in future . Fans head to Wembley Stadium for the show-piece final of last year 's competition in March . 'No formal proposals were tabled and no formal vote taken . 'Instead , League One and Two clubs were asked to indicate whether they were content to see The Football League progress the matter , which would include discussions with the Premier League and Football Association , so that clubs can consider a full proposal at a future point . 'Therefore , as yet , no club has voted in favour or against the idea of having U21 teams in The Football League Trophy , they have only indicated whether they wish to consider the matter further . 'Ultimately any changes to this competition will only happen with the support of League One and Two clubs . ' What is the Football League Trophy ? More commonly known as the Johnstone 's Paint Trophy because of its sponsor , the Football League Trophy is a competition for the clubs of League One and League Two . The competition is divided into North and South sections and runs in a knockout format to a final staged at Wembley . This year 's final will be played between Bristol City and Walsall on March 22 . Peterborough United beat Chesterfield 3-1 in last season 's final . What is a category one academy ? Those clubs who have academies graded at the highest level under the Elite Player Performance Plan , an initiative introduced in 2011 by the Premier League to improve the quality and quantity of home-grown players in England . Category One academies have high contact time with young players , require a minimum of 18 full-time staff and an operational budget of £2.5m or more . Which clubs fall into this category ? Those that compete in the Barclays U21 Premier League are category one . There are 24 clubs . In Division One : Chelsea , Everton , Fulham , Leicester City , Liverpool , Manchester City , Manchester United , Norwich City , Southampton , Sunderland , Tottenham Hotspur , West Ham United . In Division Two : Arsenal , Aston Villa , Blackburn Rovers , Bolton Wanderers , Brighton and Hove Albion , Derby County , Middlesbrough , Newcastle United , Reading , Stoke City , West Bromwich Albion and Wolverhampton Wanderers . How would this work ? 16 of these under 21 sides would enter the JPT . The initial part would see 16 groups of four teams , with one under 21 team in each . It would then be followed by a knockout stage culminating in the Wembley final . Would it be fair ? The current rules for the Under 21 Premier League allow teams to field three overage outfield players and one overage goalkeeper . That 's why you will sometimes see a player returning from injury or struggling for form playing in an under 21 match . So the Football League clubs would predominantly be playing against teenage players but potentially with the odd big name thrown in . Of course , the rules could be altered . How would it fit into the calendar ? While some Football League clubs take the Trophy seriously , it is viewed by many as a distraction from the league and other , more prestigious Cup competitions . Some clubs have fielded weakened sides in the competitions in the past . Crowds are also significantly lower than in other competitions , with a day out at Wembley the main attraction . For the under 21 teams , the games would have to be shoehorned in between Premier League games , the Under 21 Premier League Cup and the Under 21 International Cup . ADAM SHERGOLD .
League One and four clubs asked to consider proposals . Premier League U21 sides would enter the Football League Trophy . Addition of ' B ' teams into Football League pyramid was rejected last year . New format would see U21 teams in group stage followed by knockout .