EFL reject request for Papa John’s Pizza Trophy finals to be played in front of fans in May

Salford City’s rescheduled 2020 Papa John’s Pizza Trophy final will not take place in front of 10,000 people at Wembley.

The game against League One Portsmouth, set for Saturday, March 13th, is part of an ‘EFL Weekender’, will see last year’s Papa John’s Pizza Trophy final and the 2021 final between Sunderland and Tranmere Rovers played over two days.

Tranmere Rovers submitted a formal request to the EFL to push back the final.

The request would have seen the game moved beyond the potential date of lifted restrictions on crowd attendance on May 17th.

The date recently set by Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

The PM’s announcement detailed provisional plans to welcome 10,000 fans back into grounds of 40,000 capacity or lower. Or a quarter of the capacity in smaller stadia, whichever is the lowest.

Would be fantastic if the Papa John’s Trophy final could be pushed back to allow fans in too … we asked informally last week and have formalised the request today. Govt are saying 10,000 allowed in Wembley from 17th May#TRFC https://t.co/1nyyDib4gQ pic.twitter.com/yXiaP7wXfJ

— Nicola Palios (@NicolaPalios) February 22, 2021

Nicola Palios, Tranmere Rovers co-owner alongside husband Mark, tweeted after the announcement to confirm that they had formally submitted a request to postpone their Papa John’s Pizza Trophy fixture after informally suggesting the idea last week.

The EFL has since rejected Tranmere’s request.

The route to the final

Salford 2 - 0 Aston Villa U21's

Lloyd 80'p, Rooney 82'

Late goals from Danny Lloyd and Adam Rooney put three points on the board for Salford after group game one. 

Armstrong 43' 47', Towell 87'



Salford comprehensively swept away a young Wolves side in the final group game.

Tranmere 0 - 2 Salford

Salford 3 - 0 Port Vale

Threlkeld 2', Hogan 57'

Victory at Prenton Park meant that The Ammies had secured top spot and would qualify as winners of the group.

Burgess 36', Armstrong 79', Jervis 86'

It was another game and another three - nothing scoreline for The Ammies as they cruised into the quarter-finals.

Road to Wembley

Salford City FC

21/10/19

25/08/19

02/01/20

19/11/19

Salford 3 - 0 Wolves U21's

Salford 2 - 1 Accrington

Burgess 45+2', Elliott 50'



Accrington provided the toughest challenge yet Salford had to come from behind to win. Tom Elliot scored the winner on his debut to fire Salford into the semi-finals

09/01/20

Newport 0 - 0 Salford

(5-6 on penalties)

After a draining 0-0 draw in normal time, The Ammies did things the hard way and secured their hard-earned place in the final via penalties. 

18/02/20

Up next…

The Ammies will be looking to get back to winning ways after their devastating stoppage time 2-1 loss to Morecambe and drab 0-0 outing against 22nd place Southend United.

Salford could move up to 5th place with a win if results go their way elsewhere.

Kick-Off is at 19:00. Match passes are £10, and streaming of the match is available at www.live.salfordcityfc.co.uk.