Bolton Wanderers draw Barrow and Fleetwood in EFL Trophy

Ian Evatt’s side won the competition in 2023 and reached the quarter-final stage last year before bowing out on penalties at Blackpool.

The EFL announced the draw for the first round groups this morning, which placed Bolton alongside Barrow and Fleetwood Town. A third Under-21 team from a category one academy will be added to the list on Thursday afternoon, along with confirmation on which games will be played at home, and those away from home.

The eight teams in the Northern draw are: Aston Villa, Everton, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, Newcastle United, Nottingham Forest and Wolves.

Wanderers will find out their full League One fixture list on Wednesday morning and also their Carabao Cup first round opponent the following day.

Wanderers will land a guaranteed payment of £20,000 for competing in this season’s Bristol Street Motors Trophy – but could stand to win around £300,000 by going all the way to Wembley.

The EFL have confirmed their prize money distribution for the cup competition, which starts with a first round of three group games.

Bolton have been drawn against League Two Barrow and Fleetwood and will have a third team confirmed on Thursday afternoon drawn from one of eight category one academies, including Manchester United, Manchester City and Liverpool.

Each win in the group stage is worth £10,000, with a draw worth £5,000.

Prize money then increases with each round from £20,000 for a win in the last 32 to £50,000 as the competition runner-up.

The Northern draw in full - Group A - Accrington Stanley, Stockport County, Tranmere Rovers.

Group B - Port Vale, Salford City, Wrexham. Group C - Carlisle United, Morecambe, Wigan Athletic. Group D – Barrow, Bolton Wanderers, Fleetwood Town.

Group E – Blackpool, Crewe Alexandra, Harrogate Town.

Group F - Barnsley, Doncaster Rovers, Huddersfield Town.

Group G – Chesterfield, Grimsby Town, Lincoln City.

Group H - Bradford City, Mansfield Town, Rotherham United.