West Bromwich Albion F.C. Reserves and Academy
West Bromwich Albion Reserves and Academy are the youth teams of West Bromwich Albion. The reserve team is made up of under-23 players, and is effectively West Bromwich Albion's second-string side. The under-18 players among other younger age groups make up the academy team. They play in the Premier League 2 Division 2, the second tier of reserve team football in England.
| Nickname(s) | The Baggies |
|---|---|
| Ground | The Hawthorns, Aggborough Stadium |
| Owner | Lai Guochuan |
| Manager | Richard Stevens |
| League | Premier League 2 Division 2 |
Academy staff and hierarchy
| Position | Name | |
|---|---|---|
| Academy Manager | 
| Richard Stevens |
| Head of Academy Coaching |
| Mick Halsall |
| U-23s Manager | 
| Deon Burton |
| U-18s Manager |
| Peter Gilbert |
| Professional Phase Goalkeeping Development Coach | .svg.png.webp){kind=small}
| Boaz Myhill |
| Head of Academy Recruitment |
| Jamie Russell |
History
In the 1882–83 season, Albion fielded a reserve side for the first time; the club's second team played 24 matches and went through the season undefeated.[1] Due to the club's financial situation, the reserves had their wages halved early in the 1885–86 season, and by January 1886 the payments made to reserve players were withdrawn altogether. This resulted in Albion's second team refusing to play against Small Heath Alliance and the game was cancelled. Some of the players were suspended as a result of their actions, but were later re-instated.[2] The Albion reserves first competed in The Central League in 1921 and won the competition seven times.[3]
Albion's Youth team first entered the FA Youth Cup in 1952–53. In their first game in the competition, they defeated Brush Sports by a 10–1 scoreline.[4] They reached the final in 1954–55 and 1968–69, losing to Manchester United and Sunderland respectively. Albion won the competition for the only time in their history in 1975–76, beating local rivals Wolverhampton Wanderers 5–0 on aggregate in the two-legged final.[5] Since April 2013, the club's academy has been based in the former Tom Silk Building in Halfords Lane, close to The Hawthorns.[6]
Academy squads
Under-23 squad
- As of 3 February 2021[7]
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Out on loan
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Under-18 squad
- As of 21 November 2020[8]
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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References
- Matthews, Tony; Mackenzie, Colin (1987). Albion! A Complete Record of West Bromwich Albion 1879–1987. Breedon Books. p. 220. ISBN 0-907969-23-2.
- Matthews, Tony; Mackenzie, Colin (1987). Albion! A Complete Record of West Bromwich Albion 1879–1987. Breedon Books. p. 243. ISBN 0-907969-23-2.
- Matthews, Tony; Mackenzie, Colin (1987). Albion! A Complete Record of West Bromwich Albion 1879–1987. Breedon Books. pp. 221–223. ISBN 0-907969-23-2.
- Matthews, Tony; Mackenzie, Colin (1987). Albion! A Complete Record of West Bromwich Albion 1879–1987. Breedon Books. p. 228. ISBN 0-907969-23-2.
- Matthews, Tony; Mackenzie, Colin (1987). Albion! A Complete Record of West Bromwich Albion 1879–1987. Breedon Books. p. 229. ISBN 0-907969-23-2.
- "West Brom move into their new £1.3m base". Express & Star. 24 April 2013. Archived from the original on 31 August 2017. Retrieved 31 August 2017.
- "West Bromwich Albion Premier League 2 Player Profiles". West Bromwich Albion. Retrieved 31 December 2018.
- "West Bromwich Albion U18 Team". West Bromwich Albion. Retrieved 31 December 2018.
External links
- West Bromwich Albion Under-23s at wba.co.uk
- West Bromwich Albion Under-18s at wba.co.uk