Highlights from the Bolton Wanderers Academy 2025–26 season showcasing progress along the EPPP development pathway for youth players.
Based in Greater Manchester, Bolton Wanderers runs a category 3 academy
- Academy Manager: Dave Gardiner
- B Team Head Coach: Andy Taylor
- Under-19 Head Coach: Julian Darby
Bolton Wanderers Retained List 2025
View the complete list of Bolton Wanderers players who have been retained, released, or have returned to their parent clubs following loan spells.
Bolton Wanderers Scholars 2025/26
- Tomi Adesina
- Rowan Baucutt
- Oliver Best
- Denver Clement
- Louis Evans
- Quines Fakhy
- Alfie Healy
- Sam Hopkinson
- Levi Kendrick
- Lucas Kirkpatrick
- Daniel Ogboru
- Charlie Quirk
- James Shillinglaw
Bolton Wanderers Academy Players On Loan 2025/26
- Dubem Eze (Midfielder) Scunthorpe United
- Ajay Weston (Defender) FC United of Manchester
- Luke Hutchinson (Goalkeeper) Altrincham
- Sean Hogan (Defender) Ashton United
- Sonny Sharples-Ahmed (Midfielder) Torquay; Spennymoor Town
- Sam Inwood (Defender) Aldershot Town
- Harley Irwin (Midfielder) Stafford Rangers
- Harry Leigh (Midfielder) Trafford
- David Abimbola (Forward) Accrington Stanley
Bolton Wanderers Academy Products in the First Team 2025/26
- Sonny Sharples (Midfielder) #28
- Samuel Lawrence Inwood (Defender) #32
Bolton Wanderers Academy International Players 2025/26
- Louis Evans (Defender) Wales U17
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
Bolton U17 will play against Under-17 teams from Blackpool, Fleetwood Town and Carlisle United.
- Bolton U17 lost away against Blackpool U17 (3 – 0)
- Bolton U17 won at home against Carlisle United U17 (3 – 1)
- Bolton U17 drew away against Fleetwood Town U17 (1 – 1)
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 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.
Bolton Wanderers U18 are drawn in Group G against under-18 teams: Coventry City, Crewe Alexandra and Port Vale.
Fixtures Schedule (Group G)
- Match Round 1 (Tuesday 26 August 2025) Coventry City v Bolton Wanderers
- Match Round 2 (Saturday 4 October 2025) Bolton Wanderers v Port Vale
- Match Round 3 (Saturday 22 November 2025) Bolton Wanderers v Crewe Alexandra
U18 Professional Development League Cup Group Stage
- Bolton U18 won away against Coventry City U18 (3 – 1)
- Bolton U18 lost at home against Crew Alexandra U18 (1 – 5)
- Bolton U18 lost at home against Port Vale U18 (3 – 4)
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.
Youth Alliance Cup Group Stage
U18 Youth Alliance Cup Round of 16
- Bolton Wanderers U18 lost away against Carlisle United U18 (2 – 0)
FA Youth Cup
First Round Proper
Bolton Wanderers U18 have been drawn at home against Chester U18
- Bolton Wanderers U18 won at home against Chester U18 (2 – 1)
- Toby Ritchie
- Lucas Kirkpatrick
Second Round Proper
Bolton Wanderers U18 have been drawn away against Tranmere Rovers U18
- Bolton Wanderers U18 won away against Tranmere Rovers U18 (0 – 2)
- Sonny Coyne
- Corey Nuttall
Third Round Proper
Bolton Wanderers U18 have been drawn at home to Leicester City U18
- Bolton Wanderers U18 won at home against Leicester City U18 (2 – 2) (4 – 3 after Pens)
- Latrell Lewis
- Toby Ritchie
Fourth Round Proper
Bolton Wanderers U18 have been drawn at home to Stevenage U18
- Bolton Wanderers U18 lost at home against Stevenage U18 (1 – 3)
- Toby Ritchie
Central League Cup 2024/25
2025/26 Central League Cup Fixtures announced.
15 teams have entered the competition, divided into four groups:
Bolton Central League Cup Group Stage
Bolton Wanderers Reserves are drawn in Group A against Reserve teams from Rotherham United, Stoke City and Wigan Athletic.
- Bolton Wanderers B won away against Rotherham United Reserves (1 – 3)
- Connor Lewis (2)
- Daeshon Lawrence
- Bolton Wanderers B drew at home against Stoke City Reserves (0 – 0)
- Bolton Wanderers B lost at home against Wigan Athletic Reserves (0 – 1)
Bolton Wanderers Academy News
22nd May 2025
1st Year professional contracts have been awarded to the following players:
- Jack Dallimore
- Harrison Fleury
- Sean Hogan
- Joseph Toole
- James Westwood
17th June 2025
Goalkeeper Luke Hutchinson has signed a two-year extension with the club
1st July 2025
Nine young players have signed their first professional contracts with Wanderers, following the completion of their two-year scholarships with the club.
All nine played a key role in helping the Whites secure both the EFL Youth Alliance title and the Lancashire FA Youth Cup last season, earning their step up to the professional ranks.
- Daeshon Lawrence
- Jamie Grayson
- Harley Irwin
- Oliver Smith
- David Abimbola
- Harrison Rice
- Conor Lewis
- Harry Leigh
- Emile Oliver
9th September 2025
Defender Sam Inwood has committed to a deal running until June 2028, while midfielder Sonny Sharples-Ahmed has signed through to June 2027.
Both contracts also include an additional 12-month option.
1st November 2025
Bolton Wanderers U18s will travel to face Tranmere Rovers in the FA Youth Cup second round on Wednesday, November 12th, with kick-off scheduled for 7:00 pm.
12th November 2025
Wanderers’ FA Youth Cup tie at Tranmere Rovers, set for tonight, has been postponed.
The second-round match will now take place at Prenton Park next Wednesday, 19th November, with a 7pm kick-off.
24th November 2025
Bolton Wanderers U18s will host Leicester City U18 in the FA Youth Cup third round proper on Wednesday, December 3rd, with kick-off at 7.00 pm.
3rd December 2025
Bolton Wanderers U18 have advanced to the fourth round of the FA Youth Cup after a 2–2 draw with Leicester City, winning 4–3 in the subsequent penalty shootout.
2nd January 2026
Dubem Eze has been recalled from his loan spell at Scunthorpe United and has completed a permanent move to fellow National League club Sutton United.
14th January 2026
Bolton Wanderers U18s’ FA Youth Cup journey came to an end in the fourth round with a 3 – 1 defeat at home to Stevenage U18s.
24th March 2026
Luke Lomax, Sam O’Neill and Jack Mawditt have all signed their first professional contracts with Bolton Wanderers