by Staff Writer
Thursday, 26th June 2025
West Ham United's Under 21s have discovered who they will face in the group phase of this season's Vertu Trophy.
The young Irons have been drawn as the Premier League club representatives in the southern section's Group D, where they will face senior teams from MK Dons, Reading and Swindon Town.
The competition - previously known as the EFL Trophy - will see the Hammers travel to League One Reading and League Two MK Dons and Swindon for their three group fixtures, with home advantage being granted to the lower league sides.
The top two teams from each of the 16 groups - eoight in the southern section and eight in the north - will proceed to the knockout stages of the competition.
Under 21s boss Mark Robson, reacting to the draw told West Ham's website: "Playing in this competition is brilliant for the young lads. I really enjoy it because it reveals more about the players, who steps up, who excels in unexpected moments.
"These games really test them. You’re up against seasoned professionals, and that’s where our young lads can prove themselves. We’ve come out of these games with flying colours in previous seasons, especially during our great run in 2023/24.
"Physically, technically and tactically, these matches push the team to another level. It’s a great challenge, and we’ll always look to showcase what we’re about."
The Hammers will be hoping to improve upon last season's results in the tournament, when they finished bottom in the four-team group stage behind Cheltenham, this season's opponents Reading and Newport County having lost all three fixtures.
The winners of this year's competition will receive £100,000. The full draw was as follows
Southern section
Group A: Cardiff, Exeter, Newport, Arsenal U21
Group B: Bristol Rovers, Cheltenham, Plymouth, Tottenham Hotspur U21
Group C: Northampton, Shrewsbury, Walsall, Chelsea U21
Group D: MK Dons, Reading, Swindon, West Ham U21
Group E: AFC Wimbledon, Bromley, Stevenage, Crystal Palace U21
Group F: Crawley, Leyton Orient, Peterborough, Aston Villa U21
Group G: Colchester, Gillingham, Wycombe, Fulham U21
Group H: Barnet, Cambridge, Luton, Brighton U21
Northern section
Group A: Salford, Stockport, Wigan, Wolves U21
Group B: Barrow, Blackpool, Tranmere, Nottingham Forest U21
Group C: Bradford, Doncaster, Grimsby, Everton U21
Group D: Barnsley, Lincoln, Notts County, Man Utd U21
Group E: Bolton, Oldham, Rotherham, Man City U21
Group F: Harrogate, Huddersfield, Mansfield, Newcastle U21
Group G: Accrington, Fleetwood, Port Vale, Leeds U21
Group H: Burton, Chesterfield, Crewe, Liverpool U21
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