The European Challenge Trophy, won recently by Paul Fairclough’s exciting young England side, is set to expand following a meeting held recently at the East Sussex National Hotel.

Representatives from Belgium, Holland, Italy, Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland and Wales as well as The FA formulated plans for the next competition which is due to get under way in November 2007.

Leagues Manager Mike Appleby is confident that there will be 8 teams taking part in the next Tournament.

He said: “The feedback from the meeting was really positive, especially from the three new Associations. The two Irish Associations and the FAW agreed to confirm their participation by the end of March next year.

"We also have a few options to explore with regard to the eighth team. UEFA will again sanction the competition, which will have a new name, The International Challenge Trophy." 

“UEFA have stated that we should have no more than 8 teams in the next competition. This is fine with us. We plan to build the competition up each time until the numbers justify it becoming a fully fledged UEFA Competition,” Appleby added.

The 8 team format is an exciting development as it will provide for a one-off Final which is sure to generate added interest. Appleby stated: “We plan to have two groups of 4 with the winners playing off in the Final in the spring of 2009. In addition ranking matches between the 2nd, 3rd and 4th placed teams in each group will also take place ensuring that each Association has 4 games in the Tournament. It is planned to hold the draw in Scotland during the Four Nations Tournament in May next year”

The Competition will continue at under 23 level with a slight change in the player eligibility rule which will now allow for players who are under 23 at the commencement of the competition being able to continue through to the Final.