The Football League Paper says...

Imps have done the EFL a big favour

AMID all the congratulations flowing Lincoln City’s way after their dramatic penalty shoot-out victory against Chelsea U21s in midweek, none was more heartfelt than that of EFL chief executive Shaun Harvey.

“I am absolutely delighted that Lincoln did beat Chelsea,” he told BBC Sport after the Imps reached Wembley for the first time in their history by holding their nerve in the Check a trade Trophy semi-final.

It’s no wonder. If Chelsea’s academy side had reached the final, there would probably have been a wave of criticism heading the EFL’s way.

People would have said that the Blues’ young guns, with their whole career in front of them, had denied lower league players the chance of a lifetime – to play at the home of football.

The Football League Trophy has traditionally been a tournament for teams in the third and fourth tiers of English football.

Some supporters have boycotted the competition ever since academy sides were invited into it at the start of last season because they felt the very essence of it had been compromised.

In addition, there may have been concerns about how many Chelsea fans would have turned up at Wembley to watch their U21s.

Wide open spaces at Wembley would not have been a good look for the final.

Like last year when Coventry fans travelled in their hordes, the EFL have struck lucky.

Lincoln fans will undoubtedly travel in their numbers to see their side play at HQ for the first time and make it a great occasion.

Whoever wins the other semi-final – Shrewsbury or Yeovil – will bring their fair share, too.

Despite their disappointment, Chelsea’s talented kids have no doubt learned a lot from their games in this season’s competition and from taking on Lincoln’s big beasts like Matt Rhead and Michael Bostwick.

But perhaps the competition was not ready for them to reach the final. The EFL owe you, Lincoln City.