East Fife set to face fifth tier clubs in expanded KDM Evolution Trophy
The SPFL has revealed an expanded format for the KDM Evolution Trophy ahead of the new campaign, with East Fife set to face guest clubs from the fifth tier during the league phase.
Ten teams across the Scottish Highland Football League and the Scottish Lowland Football League East and West have accepted invitations into this season’s competition. And that takes the total number of clubs taking part in round one up to 40.
Those teams invited are Banks o’ Dee, Berwick Rangers, Bonnyrigg Rose, Clachnacuddin, Clydebank, Cowdenbeath, Cumbernauld Colts, Formartine United, Fraserburgh and Gala Fairydean Rovers.
They will join the Fifers, the other nine League One sides, the ten League Two teams and ten William Hill Premiership B-teams in the tournament’s opening stage, which is worth at least £15,000 in prize money.
Clubs participating in the league phase will be split into four pots by division, with each club playing two different opponents from each other pot, totalling six matches. Premiership B-teams will again play all league phase matches away from home.
Points gained by clubs across six matchdays will feed into one league table, with the top 22 clubs qualifying for the knock-out round of 32. Second tier clubs will enter the competition in the round of 32 as seeded clubs, alongside teams finishing in the top six of the league phase, with the remainder of the competition following a traditional knock-out format.
Last term, Dick Campbell’s side finished an impressive fourth in the league phase but lost out in the round of 32 to the manager’s former club Arbroath.
Member clubs and the Scottish FA considered the new set-up hugely beneficial for youth players in providing more opportunities in the key ‘transition phase’ of ages 16-21, as players move from the academy environment to senior football. Youth prospects aged 15 will continue to be eligible to participate in the KDM Evolution Trophy, following a successful trial. The Scottish FA Cooperation System, which was designed to strengthen youth development in Scotland, has also been extended.
The KDM Evolution Trophy league phase will commence on the midweek of August 11/12. The fixtures for league phase will be published on Thursday, July 16 at 1pm.