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.

West Bromwich Albion F.C. Reserves and Academy
Nickname(s)The Baggies
GroundThe Hawthorns, Keys Park
OwnerShilen Patel
ManagerRichard Stevens
LeaguePremier League 2 Division 2

Academy staff and hierarchy
Position Name
Academy Manager Richard Stevens
Head of Academy Coaching Mick Halsall
U-23s Manager Richard Beale
U-23s Coach Chris Brunt
U-23s Coach Deon Burton
U-18s Manager Leigh Downing
Professional Phase Goalkeeping Development Coach Boaz Myhill
Head of Academy Recruitment Tom Brady

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had their wages halved early in the 1885–86 season, and by January 1886 the payments made to reserve players were withdrawn altogether.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. Albion came close to reaching the final of the competition during the 2018–19 season after an impressive cup run for the first time in 43 years, only to lose to Manchester City 4–2 in the semi-final under youth coach Mike Scott. Albion would have another successful cup run in 2020-21 season only to lose to Aston Villa in the semi-final 4–1. Albion won the U23s Premier League Cup for the first time in their history under Richard Beale during the 2021-22 season beating local rivals Wolverhampton Wanderers in a penalty shootout 5–4.[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 22 May 2024[7]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
37 MF  ENG Harry Whitwell
38 MF  ENG Akeel Higgins
41 FW  ENG Layton Love
42 DF  ENG Josh Shaw
43 DF  ENG Reece Hall
44 GK  WAL Ronnie Hollingshead
45 MF  ENG Kevin Mfuamba
No. Pos. Nation Player
46 FW  ENG Reyes Cleary
47 MF  ENG Fenton Heard
— GK  ENG Ben Cisse
— DF  ENG Jamal Mohammed
— DF  WAL Alex Williams
— MF  ENG Matthew Richards
— FW  SCO Eseosa Sule

Out on loan

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player

Under-18 squad
As of 22 May 2024[8]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
— GK  IRL Louis Brady
— DF  NZL Noah Dupont
— DF  ENG Evan Humphries
— DF  WAL Rhys Morrish
— DF  ENG Deago Nelson
— DF  ENG Corey Sears
— MF  ENG Sam Beedie
— MF  ENG Fran Cherchi
No. Pos. Nation Player
— MF  ENG Cole Deeming
— MF  ENG Archie Kirton
— MF  AUT Souleyman Mandey
— FW  WAL Ollie Bostock
— FW  ENG Dan Chimeziri
— FW  ENG Divine Onyemachi
— FW  ENG Adriel Walker

References
  1. Matthews, Tony; Mackenzie, Colin (1987). Albion! A Complete Record of West Bromwich Albion 1879–1987. Breedon Books. p. 220. ISBN 0-907969-23-2.
  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.
  3. 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.
  4. Matthews, Tony; Mackenzie, Colin (1987). Albion! A Complete Record of West Bromwich Albion 1879–1987. Breedon Books. p. 228. ISBN 0-907969-23-2.
  5. Matthews, Tony; Mackenzie, Colin (1987). Albion! A Complete Record of West Bromwich Albion 1879–1987. Breedon Books. p. 229. ISBN 0-907969-23-2.
  6. "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.
  7. "West Bromwich Albion Premier League 2 Player Profiles". West Bromwich Albion. Retrieved 31 December 2018.
  8. "West Bromwich Albion U18 Team". West Bromwich Albion. Retrieved 31 December 2018.
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