The Professional Development League is a system of youth soccer leagues in England run by the Premier League and the Football League . It was created by the decision of the Football Association in 2012 in accordance with the plan for the development of youth football [1] .
The league was founded in 2012 and since the 2012/13 season has replaced the Reserve Premier League , the Academic Premier League and the Football combination . The league includes tournaments for players under 18, under 21 and under 23 [1] .
Before the 2012/13 season, the youth teams of clubs playing in the Reserve Premier League (the top division of reserve football in England) were eliminated from the tournament if the first teams were eliminated from the Premier League to the Championship , they were replaced by reserve teams of clubs whose main teams went to the Premier League. But in the current system, the status of the first teams in the Premier League has nothing to do with the status of their reserve teams. There are three Professional Development Leagues for each age group, in which reserve and youth teams of clubs from the four top divisions of the football league system of England play.
Content
Tournaments for Teams Under 23
Division 1
| Premier League 2. Division 1 | |
|---|---|
| Premier League 2. Division 1 | |
| Current winner | Everton (2018/19) |
| Most titled | Manchester United (3) |
From 2012 to 2016, the senior tournament for the “Category 1” teams was called the Premier League (under 21 years old) ( Eng. U21 Premier League ); It could be played by players under the age of 21, as well as four players from the main team, regardless of age. Starting from the 2016/17 season, the tournament is called the Premier League 2 ( Eng. Premier League 2 ); henceforth, players under the age of 23 can play in it. The goalkeeper and three field players may be over 23 years old [2] .
The tournament is divided into two divisions, each of which has 12 teams. The winner of the first division is considered the champion. The two worst teams in the first division are eliminated in the second division; the best team of the second division goes to the first division; the teams that took 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th places in the second division play in the playoffs for reaching the first division. Premier League 2 teams can also take part in the Premier League Cup , Trophy of the English Football League and the International Premier League Cup [3] .
Champions
| Season | Champion |
|---|---|
| 2012/13 | Manchester United |
| 2013/14 | Chelsea |
| 2014/15 | Manchester United |
| 2015/16 | Manchester United |
| 2016/17 | Everton |
| 2017/18 | Arsenal |
| 2018/19 | Everton |
Division 2
| Premier League 2. Division 2 | |
|---|---|
| Premier League 2. Division 2 | |
| Current winner | Sheffield Wensday (2016/17) |
| Most titled | 5 teams have 1 victory |
The eldest age level for Category 2 football academies is the Professional Development League 2 (under 21 years old) ( eng. U21 Professional Development League 2 ). The league is divided into two regional divisions; The tournament champion is determined in a playoff series at the end of the season.
Winners
| Season | Winner |
|---|---|
| 2012/13 | Charlton Athletic |
| 2013/14 | Kru Alexandra |
| 2014/15 | Swansea city |
| 2015/16 | Huddersfield Town |
| 2016/17 | Sheffield Wensday |
| 2017/18 | Bolton Wanderers |
| 2018/19 | Wolverhampton Wanderers |
Tournaments for Teams Under 18
Premier League ( )
| Premier League (U18) | |
|---|---|
| U18 Premier League | |
| Current winner | Derby County (2018/19) |
| Most titled | Chelsea (2) |
The Premier League ( U18 ) ( Eng. U18 Premier League ) for the football academies of Category 1 clubs was founded in 2012 with the formation of the Professional Development League. The tournament is divided into two regional divisions (northern and southern); To determine the champion in this tournament, the second stage of the tournament is held later. The winner of the tournament qualifies for the UEFA Youth League .
Champions
| Season | Champion |
|---|---|
| 2012/13 | Fulham |
| 2013/14 | Everton |
| 2014/15 | Middlesbrough |
| 2015/16 | Manchester city |
| 2016/17 | Chelsea |
| 2017/18 | Chelsea |
| 2018/19 | Derby County |
Professional Development League
| Professional Development League (under 18 years old) | |
|---|---|
| U18 Professional Development League | |
| Current winner | Sheffield United (2016/17) |
| Most titled | Charlton Athletic (2) |
The youngest age level for Category 2 football academies is the Professional Development League 2 (under 18) ( eng. U18 Professional Development League 2 ). The league is divided into two regional divisions; The tournament champion is determined in a playoff series at the end of the season.
Winners
| Season | Winner |
|---|---|
| 2012/13 | Queens Park Rangers |
| 2013/14 | Huddersfield Town |
| 2014/15 | Charlton Athletic |
| 2015/16 | Charlton Athletic |
| 2016/17 | Sheffield United |
| 2017/18 | Charlton Athletic |
| 2018/19 | Sheffield Wensday |
Notes
- ↑ 1 2 Youth development rules (pdf). TheFA.com.
- ↑ Premier League 2: Competition format explained . Premier League (July 20, 2016).
- ↑ 'Premier League 2 gives optimum opportunities' . Premier League (July 26, 2016).