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The invitations were handed out yesterday to the 12 clubs that fit the criteria to take part in the competition which used to be just for the 2nd and 3rd divisions in the Football League.

The lowest finisher of last season to gain an invitation are Woking, and they only scraped through due to other clubs stadiums not coming up to scratch.

Last season Barnet reached the southern section semi-final, but this season they have not received an invite due to the state of their Underhill stadium.

The LDV Vans Trophy have brough two great games in the last two seasons.

In Alan Little's first game in charge last season he took the troops 6 miles down the road to the McAlpine stadium to face Huddersfield Town.

It was a superb game played in high tempo. The match went all the way to a penalty shootout in which it seemed the Shaymen's penalties were taken by Gareth Southgate, Chris Waddle, and David Batty. Obviously we lost.

The season before, we played Stoke City at the Shay. We found ourselves two goals up, but in the end up the quality showed and we lost 3-2. But the performance was excellent from the lads.

If the last two seasons are anything to go by, our invitation to join this seasons competition is a huge bonus. Hopefully the club will RSVP ASAP.

The 12 clubs to receive an invitation are: Halifax Town, Dagenham & Redbridge, Yeovil Town, Doncaster Rovers, Morecambe, Stevenage, Scarborough, Chester City, Southport, Leigh RMI, Hereford United and Woking.