Highlights from the Accrington Stanley Academy 2024–25 season showcasing progress along the EPPP development pathway for youth players.
Based in Lancashire, Accrington Stanley runs a category 3 academy.
Accrington Stanley Academy Players On Loan 2024/25
Youth players on loan.
- Aaron Pickles (Defender) Rylands; Farsley; Southport
- Charlie Hall (Defender) Lancaster City
- Josh Smith (Defender) Matlock
Accrington Stanley Academy Products in the First Team 2024/25
- Alex Henderson (Midfielder) #10
- Dan Martin (Midfielder) #22
- Aaron Pickles (Defender) #25
- Charlie Hall (Defender) #26
- Lewis Trickett (Midfielder) #27
- Connor O’Brien (Defender) #38
Accrington Stanley Academy International Players
- Connor O’Brien (Defender) Ireland U21
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, Accrington Stanley are drawn in Group 1 against under-18 teams from Blackpool, Bolton Wanderers, Carlisle, Morecambe and Preston North End.
U18 Youth Alliance Cup Group Stage
- Lost away against Carlisle United U18 (4 – 1)
- Lost away against Blackpool U18 (3 – 2)
- Lost away against Preston North End U18 (5 – 1)
- Won at home against Morecambe U18 (3 – 0)
- Won at home against Bolton Wanderers U18 (2 – 1)
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, Accrington Stanley Reserves will play each of the other four teams in Group C once. The teams are Bolton Wanderers Reserves, Huddersfield Town Reserves, Rotherham United Reserves and Salford City Reserves.
Accrington Stanley Reserves Central League Group Stage 2024/25
- Drew at home against Bolton 1 – 1
- Lewis Trickett
- Won away against Salford City Reserves 3 – 1
- Josh Smith
- Jimmy Knowles (2)
- Lost at home against Rotherham United Reserves 5 – 2
- Connor O’Brien
- Anjola Popoola
- Lost away against Huddersfield 5 – 2
- Hanson
- Warbrick
The top two teams from each group will then advance to the quarterfinals.
Accrington Stanley Academy News
19th October 2024
In the 1st round of the FA Youth Cup, Accrington Stanley have been drawn at home to Farsley Celtic AFC.
1st November 2024
After beating Farsley Celtic AFC at home 2 – 1 in the first round, Accrington Stanley has secured a place in the second round of the FA Youth Cup.
8th November 2024
Accrington Stanley U18s have been drawn at home to Blyth Spartans AFC in the 2nd round of the FA Youth Cup.
26th November 2024
The Stanley U18s have advanced to the Third Round of the FA Cup following a dominant 6-1 victory over Blyth Spartans AFC in the Second Round.
6th December 2024
The FA Youth Cup journey came to an end for Accrington Stanley after a third-round loss 1 – 6 away to Aston Villa at the at Bodymoor Heath Training Ground.
18th March 2025
This week, the EFL celebrates Youth Development across all 72 League clubs. Accrington Stanley has a strong track record of developing academy players.
In 2024/25 season, so far, 4 academy players signed their first professional contracts, 12 played for the first team and 15 named in First Team squads.
9th May 2025
Academy Players Released
- Lewis Rhodes
- Liam Isherwood (Joins Warrington)
- Lewis Trickett
- Aaron Pickles
James Rogerson and Finlay Tunstall have each been offered professional contracts by Accrington Stanley.