Preston North End Academy 2024-25

Highlights from the Preston North End Academy 2024–25 season showcasing progress along the EPPP development pathway for youth players.

Preston North End runs a category 3 academy based in Lancashire.

Preston North End Scholars 2024/25

These 12 Academy prospects will join the Lilywhites for the 2024/25 season.

  1. Li-Bau Stowell (Goalkeeper)
  2. Joe Blake (Defender)
  3. Josh Muir (Defender)
  4. Maddox Banks (Defender)
  5. Charlie Forwood (Defender)
  6. Ben Robinson (Defender)
  7. Ed Nolan (Midfielder)
  8. Isaac Lam (Midfielder)
  9. Muhammad-Raiyaan Haji (Midfielder)
  10. Clayton Lescott (Midfielder)
  11. Ben Fitton (Forward)
  12. Somto Ifezue

The young Lilywhites will spend two seasons with the U19s, competing in the Youth Alliance League, Youth Alliance Cup, and FA Youth Cup.

Additionally, there may be opportunities to feature in the Central League with the reserves.

Preston North End Academy Players On Loan 2024/25

Youth players on loan.

  1. Tommy Davis (Goalkeeper) Bamber Bridge FC
  2. Kaedyn Kamara (Midfielder) Workington AFC; Marine FC
  3. Tommy Davis (Goalkeeper) Bamber Bridge FC; Ramsbottom United
  4. Noah Mawene (Midfielder) Newport County
  5. Kian Best (Defender) Bohemians
  6. Kitt Nelson (Midfielder) Cork City
  7. Layton Stewart (Forward) FC Thun
  8. Kian Taylor (Midfielder) Altrincham
  9. Max Wilson (Defender) Galway United
  10. Kacper Pasiek (Defender) Altrincham
  11. Cole McGhee (Defender) Chorley

Preston North End Academy Products in 1st Team 2024/25

  1. Theo Mawene (Midfielder) #31
  2. Kacper Pasiek (Defender) #32
  3. Kian Best (Defender) #33
  4. Troy Tarry (Defender) #38
  5. Theo Carroll (Midfielder) #39
  6. Li-Bau Stowell (Goalkeeper) #41

PNE Academy Competitions For 2024/25

U18 Youth Alliance Cup

The EFL Youth Alliance Cup is a youth football tournament in England, organized by the English Football League (EFL). It features under-18 teams from League One and League Two clubs that compete in the EFL Youth Alliance, the league system for these academies.

The competition follows a format like the EFL Trophy, beginning with a regional group stage before progressing to a national knockout phase.

Designed to foster young talent at lower-tier EFL clubs, the tournament provides a structured competitive environment beyond regular league matches.

In the group stage, Preston North End U18 are drawn in Group 1 against under-18 teams from Blackpool, Bolton Wanderers, Carlisle United, Morecambe and Accrington Stanley.

U18 Youth Alliance Cup Group Stage

  1. Drew at home against Bolton Wanderers U18 (1 – 1)
  2. Lost away against Carlisle United U18 (3 – 2)
  3. Won at home against Accrington Stanley U18 (5 – 1)
  4. Lost away against Blackpool U18 (2 – 1)
  5. Lost at home against Morecambe U18 (5 – 1)

U18 Professional Development League Cup

Established for the 2021/22 season, the Professional Development League Cup features 32 teams divided into eight groups of four.

The group winners advance to the knockout stages.

U18 Professional Development League Cup Group Stage

Preston North End U18 are drawn in Group D against under-18 teams from Sheffield United, Burnley and Wigan.

  1. Won away against Wigan U18 (3 – 2)
  2. Won at home against Burnley U18 (2 – 1)
  3. Lost away against Sheffield United U18 (4 – 2)

U21 Premier League Cup

The Premier League Cup was introduced in the 2013/14 season to enhance competition during the Professional Development Phase.

It added a knockout tournament alongside the regular league schedule. For the 2024/25 season, the format features nine groups.

The top team from each group automatically qualifies for the knockout stage, along with the seven best second-placed teams.

Preston North End are drawn in Group E against under 21 teams from Blackburn Rovers, Colchester United and QPR.

U21 Premier League Cup Group Stage

  1. Lost away against QPR U21 (7 – 1)
    • Kian Best
  2. Won at home against Colchester U21 (2 – 1)
    • Felipe
    • Max Wilson
  3. Lost at home against QPR U12 (2 – 0)
  4. Drew away against Blackburn U21 (4 – 4)
    • Kian Taylor (2)
    • Max Wilson
    • Layton Stewart
  5. Drew at home against Blackburn U21 (1 – 1)
    • Ched Evans
  6. Lost away against Colchester U21 (2 – 1)
    • Johnny Brindle

Central League Cup

2024/25 Central League Cup Fixtures announced.

18 teams have entered the competition, divided into four groups:

Groups A and C contain five teams each, while Groups B and D each have four.

In the group stage, Preston North End Reserves will play each of the other three teams in Group B once. The teams are Wigan Athletics Reserves, Stockport Reserves, and Stoke City Reserves.

Preston North End Central League Group Stage
  1. Lost at home against Stoke City Reserves 4 – 3
    • Max Wilson
    • Theo Mawene
    • Patrick Bauer
  2. Won away against Stockport Reserves 3 – 2
    • Kian Taylor
    • Layton Stewart
    • Theo Mawene

The top two teams from each group will then advance to the quarterfinals.

U21 Central League Cup Semi-Finals

  1. Lost away against Mansfield Town Reserves (2 – 0)

Preston North End Academy News

15th November 2024

In the 3rd round of the FA Youth Cup, Preston North End have been drawn at home to Liverpool.

23rd November 2024

The FA Youth Cup 3rd round match between Preston North End and Liverpool will take place on Friday, 6th of December at Deepdale Stadium.

6th December 2024

Preston North end u18 are through to the fourth round of the FA Youth Cup after a stunning 4 – 1 win over Liverpool.

Goals were scored by Felipe Rodriguez-Gentile, Max Wilson, Theo Mawene and Dylan Gairns.

18th December 2024

Preston North End will face Manchester United in the fourth round of the FA Youth Cup.

10th January 2025

FA Youth Cup Fifth Round Draw

FA Youth Cup Round 5

17th January 2025

Preston North End U18s have been knocked out of the FA Youth Cup following a 5-2 defeat away to Manchester United.

Both goals for PNE were scored by Felipe Rodriguez-Gentile.

5th February 2025

Michael Ayodele has joined PNE on a scholarship from the JPL.

7th February 2025

Max Wilson has signed his first professional contract with Preston North End.

12th April 2025

Seventeen-year-old Theo Carroll made his Championship debut for Paul Heckingbottom’s Lilywhites, coming on for the final three minutes against Leeds United.

29th April 2025

Theo Carroll is the PNE 2025 Scholar of the Year.

Scholars Released

  1. Ayden Garrigan
  2. Cole McGhee (Joins Sheffield Wednesday)
  3. Dylan Gairns
  4. Peter Critchley
  5. Tommy Davis