Blackpool and Fleetwood's Checkatrade Trophy groups finalised

Blackpool and Fleetwood Town's Checkatrade Trophy groups have now been finalised.
Checkatrade TrophyCheckatrade Trophy
Checkatrade Trophy

The Seasiders already knew they would face Wigan Athletic and Accrington Stanley in the group stage, but today they have also been drawn against Middlesbrough's Category One side.

Pool's first game will be at home to fellow League One side Wigan Athletic, who they will also face in the first round of the League Cup.

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They will then travel to Accrington before taking on Middlesbrough's youngsters at Bloomfield Road to complete the group stage.

Fleetwood, meanwhile, will face Leicester City U21s along with Carlisle United and Morecambe.

The date and venue of their fixtures are still to be confirmed.

Derby matches have formed the basis of the group stages this season with organisers of the much-maligned competition looking to increase attendances.

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The opening rounds last season were blighted by low crowds, with fans boycotting the competition over the inclusion of what they considered to be Premier League and Championship B teams.

This season, three League One and Two teams have been placed in the 16 four-team groups, alongside an under-21 team, in order to reduce overall travel time.

All 16 U21 sides will play their three group stage games away from home.

The changes to how group stages were drawn came after fan feedback from last season's competition, when Cheltenham were drawn against Blackpool, Bolton and Everton Under-21s.

Group A

Fleetwood TownCarlisle UnitedMorecambeLeicester City

Group B

Wigan AthleticBlackpoolAccrington StanleyMiddlesbrough

Fixture dates

w/c August 28: Blackpool vs Wigan

w/c October 2: Accrington vs Blackpool

w/c November 6: Blackpool vs Middlesbrough U21