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Draw - Colchester United will host West Ham in the Vertu Trophy Round of 32 game next month _(Image: NEWSQUEST)_
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COLCHESTER United will host West Ham United under-21s in the Vertu Trophy Round of 32 next month, following this afternoon's draw.
The U's will entertain the Hammers at the JobServe Community Stadium in the first week of December, where they will be aiming to make it through to the Round of 16.
West Ham were the only Premier League academy side to make it through to the Round of 32 after finishing as runners-up in Southern Group E D, behind Swindon Town.
Former Colchester captain Luke Chambers, who clocked up nearly 100 appearances for the U’s between 2021 and 2023 helped make the draw alongside Jobi McAnuff, with Sky Sports presenter Will Perry hosting.
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Round of 32 ties take place in the week commencing December 1.
Clubs will remain regionalised in the Round of 32 and until the semi-final stage, with each group winner being drawn at home to a second-placed club from a different qualifying group.
Clubs are awarded £20,000 each for participating, with teams receiving £10,000 per win and £5,000 per draw in the group stages.
Clubs then receive £20,000 for a win in the Round of 32, then £40,000 per win in the Round of 16, £50,000 per win in the quarter-finals, £50,000 for finishing as runners-up and £100,000 for winning the competition.