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 Two 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 .
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 Two clubs have been asked to consider proposals allowing Premier League Football League do bring 'B' teams into the last year, meaning teams would: . It would see a idea of having U21 teams in The Football League its sponsor, the Football League Trophy is a 16 of these under 21 sides would enter the JPT. then be followed by a knockout stage culminating