SPFL Reserve League
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| Founded | 2018 |
|---|---|
| Country |  Scotland |
| Divisions | 1 |
| Number of clubs | 6 |
| Domestic cup | SPFL Reserve Cup |
| Current champions | Queen's Park Reserves (2024–25) |
The SPFL Reserve League is the reserve team league for football in Scotland. The league began in 2018, as the SPFL Development League was replaced by a reserve team (i.e not age-restricted) format.[1][2][3]
In its first season, 2018–19, the league included 27 clubs, split into two divisions. At its end, several clubs (Aberdeen, Celtic, Hibernian, Rangers and St Johnstone) intimated that they would withdraw from the Reserve League to arrange their own programme of matches.[4][5] The 2019–20 edition was formed with 19 clubs, with the season being curtailed early due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Scotland; the winners were decided on a 'points per game' calculation.[6][7]
After a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic, the league returned in season 2022–23 with ten clubs participating.[8][9] Hibernian were the winners of a truncated competition, with only one round of matches (nine per team).[10]
In 2023–24, Queen's Park won six of their eight Reserve League fixtures, securing the title. Their only defeat came against the previous season's champions Hibernian.[11]
In 2024-25, six clubs participated in the SPFL Reserve League, playing each other twice across the season.[12] Queen's Park won a second successive title with a points tally of 19; just one point ahead of runners up Livingston.[13]
Participating clubs
- (for 2024–25 - Airdrieonians, Ayr United and Hibernian withdrew)[14]
- Dundee
- Dunfermline Athletic
- Kilmarnock
- Livingston
- Queen of the South
- Queen's Park
Winners
| Season | Winner | Runner-up | League 2 Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018–19 [15][16][17][18] |
Rangers Reserves | Celtic Reserves | Livingston Reserves[19] |
| 2019–20 [6][7][20] |
Hamilton Academical Reserves | Heart of Midlothian Reserves | Livingston Reserves[21][22] |
| 2022–23 [23][24] |
Hibernian Reserves | Motherwell Reserves | |
| 2023–24 [25] |
Queen's Park Reserves | Dundee Reserves | |
| 2024–25 [26] |
Queen's Park Reserves | Livingston Reserves |
