Wanderers learn two of their Vertu Trophy opponents next season

Wanderers will face Rotherham United and Oldham Athletic in the group stage of next season’s Vertu Trophy.

The Whites are in Group E, and the final opponent – a Premier League club’s Under-21 team – will be announced during the draw on Thursday afternoon.

The draw will also determine whether the Rotherham and Oldham games will be played at home or away, though the encounter against a U21 side is guaranteed to take place at the Toughsheet Community Stadium.

Everton, Leeds United, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, Newcastle United, Nottingham Forest, and Wolverhampton Wanderers are all probable opponents.

The group fixtures are tentatively scheduled for the week of September 1, October 6, and November 10, however these dates are subject to change based on “potential international commitments at U21 level”.
Rotherham finished 13th in League One last season, and this will be the first time the teams play in the Vertu Trophy.

Meanwhile, Oldham are preparing for their return to the Football League after defeating Southend in the National League play-off final at Wembley Stadium.

Wanderers last played Latics in March 2021, and the Whites won 2-0 at Boundary Park due to Eoin Doyle and an own goal.

Bolton, the 2023 winners, having reached the tournament’s quarter-finals in the previous three seasons.

Here is a list of the groups and ball numbers in the northern section

Group A

• Salford
• Stockport
• Wigan

Group B

• Barrow
• Blackpool
• Tranmere

Group C

• Bradford
• Doncaster
• Grimsby

Group D

• Barnsley
• Lincoln
• Notts County

Group E

• Wanderers
• Oldham
• Rotherham

Group F

• Harrogate
• Huddersfield
• Mansfield

Group G

• Accrington
• Fleetwood
• Port Vale

Group H

• Burton
• Chesterfield
• Crewe

Ball numbers

1. Everton U21
2. Leeds U21
3. Liverpool U21
4. Man City U21
5. Man United U21
6. Newcastle U21
7. Nottingham Forest U21
8. Wolves U21