Tottenham Hotspur F.C. Under-23s and Academy

The Tottenham Hotspur Academy was created to train and develop players from the age of eight right up to the age of 23. Many of whom have progressed through Tottenham's youth academy have gone on to sign professional contracts and represent their country at International level.

Tottenham Hotspur Academy
Full nameTottenham Hotspur Football Club
Nickname(s)Spurs, The Lilywhites
GroundHotspur Way, Enfield,
London, England
ChairmanDaniel Levy
ManagerWayne Burnett (Under 23)
John McDermott (Under 18) until 2020
LeaguePremier League 2
U18 Premier League

The reserves in recent times have been known as the Development Squad to reflect the purpose of producing players for the first team. Though matches are billed as under 21, three overage players are allowed which gives the club the opportunity to give senior squad players a chance to play and keep or build up match fitness, often following an injury.

They have won one Premier Reserve League South title since the league's formation in 1999 and were runners-up in the inaugural Barclays U21 Premiership League which took over from 2012.

Historical reserve team

In 1948 Tottenham entered an 'A' team into the Eastern Counties League.[1] They won the League Cup in their first season and the league title and the East Anglian Cup in their second. In 1957–58 they again won both the league and East Anglian Cup and went on to win the League Cup the following season. They won three consecutive league titles in 1959–60, 1960–61 and 1961–62. In 1963 they left the ECL to join the Metropolitan League, which they won in 1966–67 as well as the League Cup in 1963–64 and the League Cup and Professional Cup in 1964–65. In 1969 they joined the South East Counties League, where they played until the formation of the Academy team in 1998, winning it three times between 1969 and 1973 and several times in the 1980s and 1990s.[1]

During their time in the ECL the club played at White Hart Lane, as well as at Hoddesdon Town's Lowfield Ground (1950–51), the Hoddesdon Sports Arena (1951–52) and Brookfields Lane in Cheshunt (1952–1963).

The Academy

The Tottenham Hotspur Academy coaches young footballers from the ages of 8 to 18 involving approximately 150 young players, looked after by 30 full-time and part-time staff. The academy features a network of 35 scouts who are tasked with finding the best local, national and international talent. Whilst under 16, in the Youth development phase, players are coached or play in the evenings and the weekend whilst they are in full-time education. On reaching 16, the best players are offered a place in the U18s Academy on a full-time 2 year Scholarship contract. This provides an academic programme alongside their football commitments. Players will usually progress through first and second years of the professional development phase whereupon on completion, they will be either offered a professional contract or be released. Where a player is borderline or has been held back because of injury there is the option of offering a third year at the Academy by exception.

Notable players to come through the Tottenham Hotspur Academy include Ledley King, Glenn Hoddle, Peter Crouch, Stephen Carr, Nick Barmby, Ian Walker, and Sol Campbell all of whom have gone on to represent their country at international level.

The Academy Manager is John McDermott. One of the former Youth Team coaches is Alex Inglethorpe who joined the club in 2006 after a two-year spell as manager of Exeter City. In November 2012 after six years service to Tottenham he joined Liverpool to become their Under-21 coach.[2]

Development Squad

Players who have progressed through the Academy and have shown the potential to play at a higher level are offered professional contracts and will then join the Development Squad. The Development Squad may also be joined by Under-21 players signed from other clubs or free agents who have proved themselves in trials at the club. The purpose of the Development Squad is to produce new players for the First Team though breaking into the senior squad is no easy feat for a young player. As well as playing in Under-21 games players may be loaned out to other clubs in lower leagues or sometimes clubs abroad to give them experience and to aid their development.

As of the 2013 – 2014 season the Development Squad have played in the Barclays U21 Premiership League. In July 2014, former Aston Villa and Middlesbrough defender Ugo Ehiogu was appointed Under-21 Team Coach following a period of part-time work within the Academy.[3] However, on 20 April 2017, Ehiogu went into cardiac arrest after collapsing at Tottenham's training ground; he died the following day at the age of 44.[4] Two months later, Tottenham announced that they had appointed former Dagenham and Redbridge manager Wayne Burnett as Ehiogu's successor, with former player Scott Parker taking charge of the Under-18s.[5][6]

Seasons

2005–06 season

Clive Allen became the manager of the reserve team at the beginning of the season and led them to their first FA Premier Reserve League South title, staying in 1st position from mid-December until the end of the season. They lost just three times during the league season. In the Barclays Premiership Reserve League Play-Off, contested by the winners of the Southern and Northern Reserve League titles, Tottenham Reserves lost 2–0 to Manchester United Reserves at Old Trafford. Home games were played at Broadhall Way, the home ground of Stevenage Borough.

2006–07 season

The 2006–07 was less successful for the reserve team with them finishing mid-table, in fifth place, behind league winners Reading, Watford, Chelsea and Leicester City. The Academy team made a vast improvement over the previous season and finished the league in third position in their Under-18 Group, behind Reading and Leicester City.

The end of the season coincided with the end of a Tottenham career for Charlie Lee and Rob Burch, with both being released to further their careers elsewhere.[7]

2007–08 season

From the 2007–08 season onwards home matches were played at Leyton Orient's home ground, the Matchroom Stadium.

2008–09 season

On 1 July 2008, Tottenham Hotspur confirmed the permanent transfer of Joe Martin, who had previously been on loan, to Blackpool.[8] Spurs also loaned out Tomas Pekhart to Southampton, Troy Archibald-Henville to Norwich City, Simon Dawkins to Leyton Orient, David Button to Grays Athletic, and Andrew Barcham, Leigh Mills & Charlie Daniels went on loan to Gillingham.[9]

In 2009, Grays Athletic loaned Lee Butcher, another goalkeeper, for a month[9] and Gillingham acquired Barcham permanently.[10] Charlie Daniels was allowed to join Leyton Orient on a free transfer.[11] Button went on loan to AFC Bournemouth, making his league debut for them, and Archibald-Henville went to Exeter City, while Yuri Berchiche and David Hutton both moved to Cheltenham Town.

2009–10 season

The club announced on 12 June 2009 that for the 2009–10 season it would not be entering a team in the Reserve League. Instead the reserve players would be loaned out for first team experience, and if necessary friendly matches would be arranged as required during the season to test out players returning from injury.[12]

2012–13 season

After not participating in the Reserve League for three seasons the club agreed to play in the newly formed Barclays U21 Premiership League. Tottenham Under-21s won the Group 2 League in the first half of the season which qualified them for the Elite Group, which they also won. This put them through to the end of the season knock-out competition where they progressed all the way to the final, eventually losing 3–2 to Manchester United Under-21s.

Honours

Domestic
  • FA Premier Reserve League – South
    • Winners (1): 2006
  • FA Youth Cup
    • Winners (3): 1970, 1974, 1990
  • Barclays U21 Premiership League
    • Winners Group 2 (1): 2012/13
    • Winners Elite Group (1): 2012/13
    • Runners-up U21 Premiership League (1): 2012/13

European
  • Eurofoot Tournament
    • Winners (2): 2007, 2011
  • Premier League Champions Cup
    • Winners (1): 2014

International

Players

Under-23s

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

No. Pos. Nation Player
40 MF  ENG George Marsh
42 MF  CYP Anthony Georgiou
43 DF  ENG Timothy Eyoma
44 MF  IRL Jamie Bowden (captain)
45 MF  CYP Jack Roles
49 GK  ENG Brandon Austin
50 FW  ENG Kazaiah Sterling
51 MF  ENG Shilow Tracey
53 MF  ENG Harvey White
55 GK  BEL Jonathan De Bie
58 DF  ENG Brooklyn Lyons-Foster
60 MF  ENG Dilan Markanday
62 MF  ENG Armando Shashoua
63 MF  ENG J’Neil Bennett
64 DF  ENG Malachi Fagan-Walcott
No. Pos. Nation Player
66 FW  ENG Rodel Richards
68 MF  WAL Elliot Thorpe
71 DF  ENG Jubril Okedina
72 FW  ENG Jeremie Mukendi
73 GK  ENG Joshua Oluwayemi
74 MF  ESP Maurizio Pochettino
77 DF  ENG Dennis Cirkin
78 FW  ENG Kion Etete
84 FW  ENG Enock Asante (Third-Year Scholar)
— GK  POL Kacper Kurylowicz (Third-Year Scholar)
— DF  ENG Aaron Skinner
–– MF  ENG Luke Amos
— MF  ENG Rafferty Pedder (Third-Year Scholar)
— MF  ENG Chay Cooper (Third-Year Scholar)

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
52 FW  IRL Troy Parrott (at Millwall until 30th June 2021)

Under-18s

Second Year Academy Players

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  ENG Thimothée Lo-Tutala
— GK  NOR Isak Solberg (Professional)
— DF  ENG Dermi Lusala
— DF  ENG Marqes Muir
— DF  ENG Jeremy Kyezu
— MF  SCO Michael Craig
— MF  SCO Matthew Craig
No. Pos. Nation Player
— MF  ENG Kallum Cesay
— MF  ENG Nile John
— MF  ESP Yago Santiago (Professional)
— MF  ENG Romaine Mundle
— MF  ENG Max Robson
— MF  ENG Eddie Carrington
— FW  ENG Tarrelle Whittaker

First Year Academy Players

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  ENG Aaron Maguire
— GK  ENG Adam Hayton
— DF  ENG Jordan Hackett
— MF  ENG Jez Davies
— MF  ENG Alfie Devine
— MF  ENG Khalon Haysman
No. Pos. Nation Player
— MF  ENG Dante Cassanova
— MF  ENG Oliver Turner
— MF  ALB Renaldo Torraj
— MF  ENG Roshaun Mathurin
— FW  ENG Dane Scarlett

Notable Tottenham Hotspur F.C. Academy graduates

The following list of academy graduates have appeared in 25 or more competitive fixtures for the first team. Players still currently playing for the club are in bold

Academy management and support staff
Role[13]Name
Academy Manager & Head of Coaching, Operations & PerformanceDean Rastrick
Assistant Head of Player Development, Under-17 to Under-23Nigel Gibbs
Professional Development Phase CoachPaul Bracewell
Professional Development Phase CoachPaul Brush
Youth Development Phase Lead CoachJustin Cochrane
Youth Development Phase CoachPat Holland
Foundation Phase Lead Coach (Safeguarding Officer)Gary Broadhurst
Foundation Phase CoachMichael Donaldson
Under 23 ManagerWayne Burnett
Under 18 ManagerMatthew Taylor
Under 18 Fitness CoachChris Riley
Pastoral Development, Under-17 to Under-23Troy Archibald-Henville
Head of Academy GoalkeepingPerry Suckling
Goalkeeping CoachRob Burch
Goalkeeping CoachAlex Welsh
Academy CoachChris Powell
Academy CoachBradley Allen
Academy CoachRyan Mason
Academy CoachWill Antwi
Academy CoachTrevor Duberry
Academy CoachRyan Hall
Academy CoachJoe Staunton
Academy CoachDaryl McMahon
Academy CoachAaron Cato
Academy CoachGlen Hicks
Academy CoachTony Tillbrook
Academy CoachAaron Tillbrook
Academy CoachAnton Blackwood
Academy CoachShaun Harris
Head of Academy Science & MedicineAaron Harris
Academy DoctorImtiaz Ahmad
Academy PhysiotherapistAdam Paxton
Academy PhysiotherapistDavid McGinness
Head of Academy Physical DevelopmentMatt Allen
Academy Physical Development CoachCharlie Moore
Academy Sports Science InternChris Riley
Academy Performance AnalystLuke Georgiou
Academy Performance AnalystAndrew Ratnage
Academy Performance AnalystJosh Smith
Academy Performance AnalystCharlie Turnbull
Academy Recruitment OfficerJason Hogg
Academy Head of EducationTrevor Webb
Academy Education OfficerDavid Rainford
Academy Education AssistantHelene Michaels
Academy Administration ManagerLuke Godfrey
Academy AdministratorTina Gold
Academy Transport CoordinatorNick Boulli
Academy Kit ManagerTavish Mahandru
Development/Academy Kit AssistantStan White

Reserve team manager history
This list is incomplete; you can help by expanding it.
  • Colin Calderwood (2001–2003)
  • John McDermott (2005)
  • Clive Allen
  • Gareth Mason (2006–2007)
  • Lee Connor Hagger (2007)

References
  1. Blakeman, M (2010) The Official History of the Eastern Counties Football League 1935–2010, Volume II ISBN 978-1-908037-02-2
  2. Reds make Academy coach changes Archived 29 November 2012 at the Wayback Machine liverpoolfc.com, 27 November 2012
  3. Under 21s Appointment THFC website, Accessed 25 July 2014
  4. "Ugo Ehiogu 21 April 2017 - News - tottenhamhotspur.com". www.tottenhamhotspur.com. Retrieved 26 September 2017.
  5. "Scott Parker returns 30 June 2017 - News - tottenhamhotspur.com". www.tottenhamhotspur.com. Retrieved 26 September 2017.
  6. "New Academy coaching staff appointed 29 June 2017 - News - tottenhamhotspur.com". www.tottenhamhotspur.com. Retrieved 26 September 2017.
  7. tottenhamhotspur.com – Player Update
  8. "Martin to Blackpool". tottenhamhotspur.com. 1 July 2008. Retrieved 1 July 2008.
  9. "Grays loan for Butcher". Tottenham Hotspur F.C. 31 December 2008. Retrieved 1 January 2009.
  10. "Barcham move made permanent". tottenhamhotspur.com. 2 January 2009. Retrieved 3 January 2009.
  11. "Daniels leaves Spurs for Orient". BBC Sport. 7 January 2009. Retrieved 13 January 2009.
  12. Reserve News THFC website 2009-06-12 Retrieved, 2009-08-15
  13. "Academy Info". Tottenham Hotspur Football Club. Retrieved 4 July 2018.
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