Middlesbrough F.C. Under-21s and Academy
Football club
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Middlesbrough F.C. Reserves and Academy are the under-21 and under-18 teams of Middlesbrough F.C.
| Full name | Middlesbrough Football Club Under-21s | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Nickname | The Boro | ||
| Short name | MFC, Boro | ||
| Founded | 1876 | ||
| Ground | Rockliffe Park, Hurworth | ||
| Owner | Steve Gibson | ||
| Chairman | Steve Gibson | ||
| Manager | Craig Liddle | ||
| League | Premier League 2, Division 2 | ||
| 2023–24 | 11th | ||
| Website | http://www.mfc.co.uk | ||
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Most home fixtures are played at Rockliffe Park, near Hurworth, though some are played at Victoria Park, Hartlepool.[1]
Under 21s
Middlesbrough Reserves (also referred to as the Under-21 Development Squad) play in Division 2 of the Premier League 2, being part of the founding members of the Premier League 2 since 2012. They have also competed in the EFL Trophy during the 2016–17, 2017–18 and 2018–19 seasons alongside 15 other academies that held Category 1 status.[2]
Current squad
- As of 30 August 2026[3]
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Out on loan
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Under 18s
| Full name | Middlesbrough Football Club Under-18s | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Nickname | The Boro | ||
| Short name | MFC, Boro | ||
| Founded | 1876 | ||
| Ground | Rockliffe Park, Hurworth | ||
| Owner | Steve Gibson | ||
| Chairman | Steve Gibson | ||
| Manager | Craig Liddle | ||
| League | U18 Premier League North | ||
| 2020–21 | 4th | ||
| Website | http://www.mfc.co.uk | ||
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The Middlesbrough Academy is the name for Middlesbrough's youth system. They field teams in the U21 Premier League and U18 Premier League.
The longest serving academy manager was Dave Parnaby, who was appointed in 1998 and retired in 2017. During this time, the academy produced many notable players such as former first team captains Ben Gibson and Jonathan Woodgate; Australia internationals Brad Jones, Luke Wilkshire and Rhys Williams; Scotland internationals James Morrison, Graeme Murty and Robbie Stockdale; England internationals Stewart Downing and Adam Johnson; as well as Northern Ireland international Chris Brunt.[4]
He also led the Academy side to the 2003 FA Youth Cup final against Manchester United where they finished runners up,[5] before getting to the final again the next season and emerging victorious over Aston Villa in 2004.[6]
Current squad
- As of 8 December 2024[7]
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Staff
The Middlesbrough football club academy staff are as follows:
Senior Staff
| Position | Staff |
|---|---|
| Academy Manager | Craig Liddle |
| Head Goalkeeping Coach | Chris Pennock |
| Head Sports Scientist | Alistair Hamilton |
| Head of Recruitment | Martin Carter |
| Head of Education and Welfare | Barry Dawson |
Medical
| Role | Name |
|---|---|
| Head Of Medical | David Minihane |
| Physiotherapist | Liam Chapman |
| Physiotherapist | Jason McNamee |
Fitness and Performance
| Name | Role |
|---|---|
| Head of Fitness and Sports Science | Mike Lawson |
| Sport Scientist | Robbie Dawson |
| Strength and Conditioning Coach | Hermes Pellotta |
| Performance Analyst | Alex Telford |
Scouting
| Name | Role |
|---|---|
| Head of Recruitment | Martin Carter |
| Assistant Head of Recruitment | |
| Scout, Academy Recruitment |
Coaching staff
Because of Middlesbrough Football Clubs Academies EPP level they divide their coaching into three phases. Professional development, youth development and foundation phases of coaching.
| Name | Role | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Professional Development Lead Coach (U23) | Lee Cattermole | Professional Development Assistant Coach (U23) | Paul Crager |
| Professional Development Coach (U18) | Mark Tinkler | Professional Development Assistant Coach (U18) | James Marwood |
| Professional Development Goalkeeping Coach | Chris Pennock | ||
| Youth Development Lead Coach | Aaron Croft | ||
| Youth Development Coach | Rob Jones | ||
| Youth Development Assistant Coach | Micky Cummins | ||
| Foundation Development Lead Coach | Dean Grayson |
Notable products
Many players have come through Middlesbrough's academy who have either gone on to play for the first team or have gone on to have successful careers elsewhere. The following are players who have made professional appearances, either for Middlesbrough or another football club, during their careers.
They are organised in order of the date they signed their first professional contract with Middlesbrough (from 1997 onwards). Appearances for those who played for Middlesbrough are counted as all professional appearances for the club in all competitions. Players who are still contracted to the club (including players loaned out elsewhere) are highlighted in bold.
Players who have played for Middlesbrough
- As of 16 October 2020
Players who have played for other football clubs
- As of 30 January 2020
Players who have played at international level
Many players who have come through the youth ranks at Middlesbrough have appeared for their national team at both senior and youth levels. The following is a list of those players organised by national team and alphabetical order respectively.
- As of 21 October 2019
Honours
- Winners (1): 2014–15
- Winners (11): 1996–97, 2000–01, 2001–02, 2003–04, 2006–07, 2007–08, 2008–09, 2011–12, 2014–15, 2015–16, 2017–18
- Runners-up (1): 2003–04, 2004–05, 2013–14
- Winners (1): 2011–12
- Runners-up (2): 1995–96, 2010–11
- Winners (1): 2014–15