Highlights from the Carlisle United Academy 2025–26 season showcasing progress along the EPPP development pathway for youth players.
Based in Cumbria, Carlisle United runs a category 3 academy.
- Academy Manager: Steven Rudd
- Lead Youth Development Phase Coach: Danny Grainger
Carlisle United Retained List 2025
View the complete list of Carlisle United players who have been retained, released, or have returned to their parent clubs following loan spells.
Carlisle United Scholars 2025/26
- Sam Worth (Goalkeeper)
- William Hatton (Defender)
- Olly Penney (Defender)
- Alex McDonough (Defender)
- Tai Bell (Midfielder)
- Zac Tonge (Midfielder)
- William Rafferty (Forward)
- Reuben Towers (Forward)
- Amaru Smith (Forward)
Carlisle United Academy Players Loan Watch 2025/26
Youth players on loan.
- Dan Hopper (Midfielder) Darlington
- Hayden Atkinson (Defender) Workington AFC
- Jake Allan (Midfielder) Workington AFC
- Freddie O’Donoghue (Midfielder) Queen of the South
- Lewis Lambert (Forward) Carlisle City FC
- Jonah Lowes (Midfielder) Darlington
Carlisle United Academy Players in the First Team 2025/26
- Hayden Atkinson (Defender) #31
Academy Competitions
U17 Professional Development League Cup
The U17 Professional Development League Cup is an English youth football tournament created for players aged 17 and under.
U17 PDL Cup Group Stage
Carlisle United U17 will play against Under-17 teams from Bolton Wanderers, Fleetwood Town and Blackpool.
- Carlisle United U17 won at home against Fleetwood Town U17 (4 – 1)
- Carlisle United U17 lost away against Bolton U17 (3 – 1)
- Carlisle United U17 won at home against Blackpool U18 (5 – 0)
Round of 16
- Carlisle United U17 won at home against Preston North End U17 (6 – 2)
Quarter Final
- Carlisle United U17 lost away against Stockport County U17 (3 – 2)
U18 Youth Alliance League
The Football League Youth Alliance is an English youth football competition made up of two regional divisions, serving as the League Two tier within the U18 Professional Development League system.
U18 Youth Alliance League North Winter Table 2025-26
Below are the team standings at the winter break, marking roughly the halfway point of the season.
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.
U18 Youth Alliance Cup
- Carlisle United U18 won away against Doncaster Rovers (1 – 3)
- Simon Rigby (2)
- Tai Bell
- Carlisle United U18 won at home against Bolton Wanderers U18 (2 – 0)
- Carlisle United U18 won at home against Preston North End (2 – 1)
Semi-Finals
- Carlisle United U18 won at home against Oldham Athletic U18 (3 – 0)
- Lewis Lambert
- Seb Mason
- Jack Porter
FA Youth Cup
2nd Round Qualifying
- Carlisle United U18 won away against Morecambe U18 (0 – 5)
- Seb Mason (2)
- Reuben Towers (2)
- Amaru Smith
3rd Round Qualifying
- Carlisle United U18 won away against Gateshead U18 (0 – 3)
First Round Proper
Carlisle United U18 have been drawn at home against Blackpool U18
- Carlisle United U18 lost at home against Blackpool U18 (0 – 1)
Carlisle United Academy News
16th May 2025
Carlisle United has announced that scholars Jake Allan, Sam Hetherington, and Dan Hopper have been offered and have accepted professional contracts with the club.
Freddie O’Donoghue and Thomas Randall have had their scholarships extended into a third year.
7th August 2025
Defender Hayden Atkinson, 17, has signed his first professional contract with Brunton Park, committing to the Club until 2027.
4th October 2025
A dominant Carlisle United Under-18s side put five past Morecambe to cruise into the next round of the FA Youth Cup.
28th October 2025
Carlisle United U18s’ FA Youth Cup journey came to an end with a narrow 0–1 defeat at home to Blackpool U18s.
12th November 2025
Carlisle United U18s have reached the semi-finals of the Youth Alliance Cup after a 2–1 home victory over Preston North End U18s.