Vertu Trophy 'Massively Important' For EFL Outfits

Vertu Trophy 'Massively Important' For EFL Outfits

The 32 sides still in contention for the 2024/25 Vertu Trophy have the opportunity to do battle in a competition that could have a ‘massive impact’ on their future, according to a manager with first-hand experience of making it to the latter stages.

Paul Simpson tasted success in the competition during his playing career, coming on as substitute in the 2002 final at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff as Blackpool beat Cambridge United 4-1.

Having then stepped into management the following season whilst with Rochdale, Simpson would end up taking control of his hometown club Carlisle United – guiding the club back to the EFL and then on to promotion to League One.

Before departing for Preston North End, Simpson also led Carlisle to the Trophy final in a dramatic 2005/06 campaign that included penalty shootout wins against both Oldham Athletic and Tranmere Rovers, before a two-legged Northern Area final against Macclesfield Town.

Emerging victorious on away goals, Carlisle United headed to Cardiff for the final before narrowly losing out to Swansea City following a late strike from EFL legend Adebayo Akinfenwa.

That means Simpson has first-hand experience of what it is like to both win and lose in the final, and he admitted that it was an important competition for both League One and League Two sides to battle for.

“The Vertu Trophy provides a fantastic opportunity to get to Wembley Stadium and as a footballer, those are the opportunities that you dream about,” he said.

“When we qualified for the final during my time at Blackpool, Steve McMahon was the manager and we took the same approach to the game as he did when he was a player at Liverpool; getting kitted out in new suits and going a day early so we could train at the stadium before the match.

“As a player, I think you only really realise what an occasion it was to play in a major final when you are no longer playing but it was very proud moment to then return to the final with Carlisle – particularly as I was leading out the team from my home city.

“That game was huge for the Club and we made a lot of money from making the final, even though the result on the day didn’t go as we hoped. The prize money we secured meant the pitch at Brunton Park could be re-laid, so it had a massive impact.”

Whilst playing and managing in the competition is something Simpson has first-hand experience of from his career, the 58-year-old – who also had spells in charge of Shrewsbury Town and Stockport County – added that the Vertu Trophy was also a big opportunity for fans of clubs who may not otherwise be in the mix for a trip to a Wembley final.

“For any football fan, the chance to go and cheer on your team at Wembley is a big day out, and you only have to look at some of the attendances for the Vertu Trophy final in recent years to see that,” he said.

“You want to see your team battling for a trophy in a big final and for clubs across League One and League Two, this competition provides them with a chance, which is reflected in the following that they then bring with them.”