Highlights from the Cheltenham Town FC Academy 2024–25 season showcasing progress along the EPPP development pathway for youth players.
Based in Gloucestershire, Cheltenham Town FC Academy runs a category 3 academy.
Cheltenham Town Scholars 2024/25
- Jack Robinson
- Noah Carter
- Ethan Hardy
- George McNamee
- Charlie Croose
- Ellis Rudman
Cheltenham Town Academy Players Loan Watch 2024/25
Youth players on loan.
- Cameron Walters (Defender) Gloucester City AFC; North Leigh FC
- Brandon Liggett (Midfielder) Salisbury
- Tom Way (Goalkeeper) Lydney Town AFC
- Ibby Olateju (Forward) Evesham United FC; Malvern Town FC
- Jude Franks (Goalkeeper) Pershore Town FC
- Harry Tustin (Midfielder) Evesham United FC
- Mamadou Diallo (Goalkeeper) Bath City FC
- Cameron Walters (Defender) Malvern Town FC
- Sopuruchukwu Obieri (Forward) Hungerford Town; Worcester City
- Freddy Wilcox (Midfielder) Oxford City FC
- Tino Shumba (Defender) Fairford Town FC
Cheltenham Town Academy Products in 1st Team 2024/25
- Tom King (Forward) #29
- Freddy Wilcox (Midfielder) #30
- Brandon Liggett (Midfielder) #35
- Harry Tustin (Midfielder) #38
- Jude Franks (Goalkeeper) #42
Cheltenham Town Academy International Players 2024/25
- Leo Folley (Goalkeeper) Wales U15 Camp
- Ibrahim Olateju (Forward) Nigeria U20
Cheltenham Academy Competitions For 2024/25
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 Round of 16
- Won at home against Bournemouth U17 (4 – 3)
The U17 PDL Cup Quarter-Finals
- Won at home against Blackpool U17 (1 – 0)
- Tom King
U17 PDL Cup Semi-Finals
- Lost away against Swansea City U17 (4 – 2)
- Cam Walters
- Charlie Croose
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, Cheltenham Town U18 are drawn in Group E against under-18 teams from Forest Green Rovers, Oxford United, Swindon Town and Walsall.
U18 Youth Alliance Cup Group Stage
- Won away against Forest Green Rovers U18 (4 – 1)
- Drew at home against Oxford United U18 (1 – 1)
- Won at home against Walsall U18 (6 – 1)
- Lost away against Swindon Town U18 (6 – 0)
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
Cheltenham U18 are drawn in Group G against under-18 teams from Swansea, Bristol City and Plymouth Argyle.
- Won at home against Plymouth Argyle U18 (6 – 1)
- Won away against Bristol City U18 (2 – 1)
- Won at home against Swansea U18 (4 – 1)
U18 Professional Development League Cup Quarter-Final
- Won at home against Barnsley U18 (2 – 1)
U18 Professional Development League Cup Semi-Final
- Lost away against Peterborough United U18 (6 – 1)
Cheltenham Town Academy News
The young Robins participates in the Gloucestershire FA Senior Challenge Cup
19th October 2024
In the 1st round of the FA Youth Cup, Cheltenham Town have been drawn away to Hartpury University FC.
24th October 2024
After beating Hartpury University FC away in the first round 3 – 1, Cheltenham Town has secured a place in the second round of the FA Youth Cup.
30th October 2024
Seven academy players have made their first-team debut in the last three years, with Harry Tustin being the most recent.
1st November 2024
Cheltenham Town U18s have been drawn away Stevenage in the 2nd round of the FA Youth Cup. Match to be played on Monday the 18th of November.
15th November 2024
In the 3rd round of the FA Youth Cup, Cheltenham have been drawn at home to Exeter City if they win their match against Stevenage.
19th November 2024
The FA Youth Cup journey came to an end for Cheltenham Town after a second-round loss 4 – 1 away at Stevenage.
9th December 2024
The club has a great track record of promoting young players from their development centres to the academy. In the past 18 months, they’ve signed 20 players through this process.
30th December 2024
The U17s will take on Premier League side Bournemouth in January, while the U18s are set to face Barnsley in February.
21st January 2025
Cheltenham Town are through to the quarter finals of the Under-17s PDL Cup after a 4 – 3 win at home against Bournemouth.
6th March 2025
Young goalkeeper, Mamadou Diallo, has been offered a first professional contract with Cheltenham Town.
12th March 2025
Cheltenham Town have been knocked out from the U17 PDL Cup at the semi-final stage after a 4-2 away defeat to Swansea City U17s.
17th March 2025
This week, the EFL celebrates Youth Development across all 72 League clubs. Cheltenham Town has a strong track record of developing academy players.
To celebrate the occasion, Cheltenham Town highlights five academy stars who have signed their first professional contracts since the start of 2024: Tom King, Freddy Wilcox, Brandon Liggett, Sopuruchukwu Obieri, and Mamadou Diallo.
19th March 2025
Cheltenham Town Academy scholars and graduates have played a total of 690 minutes in the Vertu Trophy since the start of the 2023/24 season.
24th March 2025
Cheltenham Town has offered scholarships to Tom Curtis and Aiden Crouch who have earned this opportunity in recognition of their talent, dedication, and contributions to the Robins’ youth setup.
5th May 2025
18-year-old Harry Tustin made his league debut for Cheltenham Town, coming off the bench in their EFL match against Bromley.
7th May 2025
Released Academy Players
- Brandon Liggett