by Staff Writer
Thursday, 13th November 2025
West Ham United's Under 21s will face Colchester United in the last 32 of the Vertu Trophy, it has been confirmed.
The young Hammers, the only Premier League Under 21s squad left remaining in the competition face a trip to The JobServe Community Stadium (aka Layer Road) for their last 16, Southern Section tie.
The tie, which will take place in the week beginning 1 December was drawn earlier today by former Colchester captain Luke Chambers and ex-Hammer Jobi McAnuff. The full draw was as follows:
Northern Section
Lincoln City v Huddersfield Town
Doncaster Rovers v Chesterfield
Tranmere Rovers v Fleetwood Town
Salford City v Rotherham United
Port Vale v Barnsley
Harrogate Town v Blackpool
Bolton Wanderers v Bradford City
Crewe Alexandra v Stockport County
Southern Section
Bristol Rovers v Cambridge United
Swindon Town v Peterborough United
Cardiff City v AFC Wimbledon
Northampton Town v Wycombe Wanderers
Colchester United v West Ham United U21
Luton Town v Exeter City
Stevenage v Walsall
Leyton Orient v Plymouth Argyle
The Hammers secured their place in the last 32 courtesy of finishing as runners-up in Southern Group E, behind group winners Swindon Town. Colchester, currently 16th in League Two beat Fulham's Under 21s 2-0 on Tuesday evening to secure their spot.
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.
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