They say that when God closes a door, He opens a window, and what more perfect example of this than waving goodbye to the FA Trophy and welcoming the EFL Trophy into our lives. Whilst Clitheroe can lord it over their fellow non-league compatriots having eliminating the eventual National League champions last season, can York City perhaps take comfort in the opportunity to pummel some Premier League under-21 side in front of a half empty stadium? At this stage, it is very difficult to say, but with the club beginning its first EFL Trophy campaign in a decade next week, let’s take a look at the pros and the cons of the competition.
How Scott Lindsey and his coaching staff treat the competition may well be at odds with the attitude of supporters. His predecessor Stuart Maynard was suitably annoyed at exiting last season’s FA Trophy competition at the first hurdle, especially to such lowly opposition. However, the gaps in the calendar created by that early exit aided York’s inexplicable form as the title chase with Rochdale crystalised. Hindsight suggests it was absolutely worth it in the end. The FA Trophy, though, was a straight forward knockout competition. The Vertu Trophy, by contrast, is a group stage followed by a knockout stage for those (un)lucky enough to qualify. For at least three games, York City will have to grin and bear it.
