Rotherham United Academy 2025–26 season showcasing progress along the EPPP development pathway for youth players.
Based in South Yorkshire, Rotherham United Academy runs a category 3 academy
- Lead Professional Development Phase Coach: Donovan Gethfield
- First Team Coach and Reserves: Richard Wood
Rotherham United Retained List 2025
View the complete list of Rotherham United players who have been retained, released, or have returned to their parent clubs following loan spells.
Rotherham United Academy Players Loan Watch 2025/26
Youth players on loan.
- James Clarke (Midfielder) Brighouse Town
- Kane Richardson (Midfielder) Brighouse Town
- Ciaran McGuckin (Forward) Eastleigh
- Josh Ayres (Forward) Cleethorpes Town; Gainsborough Trinity; Alfreton Town
- Ben Hatton (Midfielder) North Ferriby
- Reece Wilson (Forward) Brighouse Town
Rotherham United Academy Products in the First Team 2025/26
- Ciaran McGuckin (Forward) #35
- James Clarke (Midfielder) #37
- Dean Gardner (Forward) #43
- Josh Ayres (Forward) #41
- Reece Wilson (Forward) #42
- Cohen Lee (Midfielder) #51
Academy Competitions For 2025/26
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 Group Stage
- Rotherham United U18 won away against Notts County U18 (2 – 1)
- Rotherham United U18 lost at home against Walsall U18 (0 – 2)
FA Youth Cup
First Round Proper
Rotherham United U18 have been drawn at home against Huddersfield Town U18
- Rotherham United U18 won at home against Huddersfield Town U18 (2 – 0)
Second Round Proper
Rotherham United U18 have been drawn at home against Fleetwood Town U18
- Rotherham United U18 lost at home against Fleetwood Town U18 (1 – 3)
- Alfie Ramsell
Central League Cup
15 teams have entered the competition, divided into four groups:
The top two teams from each group will then advance to the quarterfinals.
Rotherham United Reserves Central League Cup Group Stage
Rotherham United Reserves are drawn in Group A against Reserve teams from Bolton Wanderers, Stoke City and Wigan Athletic.
- Rotherham United Reserves won at home against Stoke City Reserves (1 – 0)
- Rotherham United Reserves lost away against Wigan Athletic Reserves (1 – 0)
- Rotherham United Reserves lost at home against Bolton Wanderers B (1 – 3)
Rotherham United Academy News
9th May 2025
Rotherham United has offered first-year professional contracts to young players Kane Richardson, James Clarke, and Reece Wilson.
11th June 2025
Hamish Douglas and Ben Hatton, both young prospects, have agreed to the renewed terms presented by Rotherham United.
Josh Ayres has also extended his stay with the Millers for a further 1 year.
29th October 2025
Rotherham United U18s advanced to the second round of the FA Youth Cup with a 2-0 victory at home against AFC Huddersfield Town U18s.
4th November 2025
Rotherham United U18s will host Fleetwood Town in the FA Youth Cup second round proper on Tuesday, November 18th, with kick-off at 7:00 pm.
18th November 2025
Rotherham United U18s’ FA Youth Cup journey came to an end with a 1-3 defeat at home to Fleetwood Town U18s.