Low attendances Checkatrade trophy

 Football News 24/

The revamped Checkatrade Trophy has begun with record low attendances, managers named as substitutes and a 15-year-old needing the permission from his headteacher to play in the competition.

In a bid to revive what was the Johnstone's Paint Trophy, League One and Two clubs voted in favour of expanding the competition to add Premier League and Championship development squads on a one-season trial basis.

Organisers have also introduced a group-stage format this season, rather than the straight knockout tournament that usually happens.

However, the low attendances suggest work need to be done to convince fans to turn out in force. Take a look at the figures below:

• 392 fans watched Fleetwood take on Blackburn's development squad
• 461 were at AFC Wimbledon to see them play Swansea Under-23s
• 585 watched Accrington face Crewe
• Just 1,198 - Port Vale's lowest crowd for 30 years - turned up for the game against Derby, with 120 of those supporting the visitors
• And Wycombe sold three tickets in advance of their trip to Northampton, although 74 away fans were among the 1,408 inside Sixfields Stadium.

Fans of many clubs have shown their discontent by using #BTeamBoycott on Twitter, which was trending on Tuesday night.

'Tony Andreu, a 28 year old French Midfielder, has scored for Norwich 'u23's' Can't wait for his debut for England'

'If you area attending a @­checkat­rad­etrpy game tonight, you need to seriously have a re-think what you're doing'