Bolton Wanderers school two opponents in the Bristol Street Motors Trophy

WANDERERS have revealed two of the teams they will face in the Bristol Street Motors Trophy group stages this season.

Ian Evatt’s side won the competition in 2023 and reached the quarter-finals last year before going out on penalties at Blackpool.

The EFL announced the draw for the first round groups this morning, which placed Bolton alongside Barrow and Fleetwood Town. A third Under-21 team from a Division I academy will be added to the list on Thursday afternoon, along with confirmation of home and away games.

The eight teams in the North draw are: Aston Villa, Everton, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, Newcastle United, Nottingham Forest and Wolves.

Wanderers will find out their full League One fixture list on Wednesday morning and also their Carabao Cup first round opponent the following day.

Wanderers will receive a guaranteed payment of £20,000 to compete in this season’s Bristol Street Motors Trophy – but could earn around £300,000 by going all the way to Wembley.

The EFL has confirmed its prize money distribution for the cup competition, which begins with a first round of three group games.

Bolton have been drawn against League Two Barrow and Fleetwood and will have a third team confirmed on Thursday afternoon, drawn from one of eight tier one academies including Manchester United, Manchester City and Liverpool.

Each group stage win is worth £10,000 and a draw worth £5,000.

Prize money then increases with each round from £20,000 for a win in the last 32 to £50,000 as runner-up in the competition.

All North Draw – Group A – Accrington Stanley, Stockport County, Tranmere Rovers.

Group B – Port Vale, Salford City, Wrexham. Group C – Carlisle United, Morecambe, Wigan Athletic. Group D – Barrow, Bolton Wanderers, Fleetwood Town.

Group E – Blackpool, Crewe Alexandra, Harrogate Town.

Group F – Barnsley, Doncaster Rovers, Huddersfield Town.

Group G – Chesterfield, Grimsby Town, Lincoln City.

Group H – Bradford City, Mansfield Town, Rotherham United.