# Middlesbrough F.C. Reserves and Academy

Middlesbrough F.C. Reserves and Academy are the under-21 and under-18 teams of Middlesbrough F.C.
Most home fixtures are played at Rockliffe Park, near Hurworth, though some are played at Victoria Park, Hartlepool.

## 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.

### Current squad

    As of 23 January 2025
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
| No. | Pos. | Nation | Player |
| 38 | GK | SCO | Shea Connor |
| — | GK | ENG | Nathan Fisher |
| — | DF | ENG | Cain Sykes |
| — | DF | GER | George Gitau |
| 41 | DF | ENG | Harley Hunt |
| — | DF | ENG | Afonso Lindo |
| — | DF | ENG | Alfie Myers-Smith |
| — | DF | ENG | Oliver Samuels |
| — | DF | ENG | Judah Tawiah |
| 40 | MF | ENG | Fin Cartwright |
| — | MF | ENG | Max Howells |
| No. | Pos. | Nation | Player |
| — | MF | ENG | Brayden Johnson |
| 49 | MF | ENG | Law McCabe |
| 44 | MF | ENG | Nathan Simpson |
| — | MF | ENG | Jack Stott |
| — | MF | ENG | Luke Woolston |
| 43 | FW | ENG | Charlie Lennon |
| 46 | FW | ENG | Ajay Matthews |
| — | FW | ENG | Daniel Nkrumah |
| — | FW | ENG | Rio Patterson-Powell |
| — | FW | ENG | Hazeem Bakre |

### 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.
| No. | Pos. | Nation | Player |
| — | DF | ENG | Terrell Agyemang (on loan at Airdrieonians until 31 May 2025) |
| — | DF | ENG | Jack Hannah (on loan at Queen of the South until 31 May 2025) |
| — | GK | ENG | Zach Hemming (on loan at St Mirren until 31 May 2025) |
| — | MF | ENG | Pharrell Willis (on loan at Queen of the South until 31 May 2025) |

## Under 18s

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.
He also led the Academy side to the 2003 FA Youth Cup final against Manchester United where they finished runners up, before getting to the final again the next season and emerging victorious over Aston Villa in 2004.

### Current squad

    As of 8 December 2024
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
| No. | Pos. | Nation | Player |
| — | GK | ENG | Felix Elliott |
| — | GK | WAL | Oliver Lloyd |
| — | DF | ENG | Prince Acheampong |
| — | DF | ENG | Oliver Martin |
| — | DF | ENG | Will McPartland |
| — | DF | ENG | Tyler Smith |
| — | DF | ENG | Logan Williams |
| 42 | DF | ENG | James Wilson |
| — | MF | ENG | Addis Dore |
| — | MF | ENG | Isaac Greenup |
| — | MF | POR | Eric Hamelberg |
| — | MF | ENG | Lucas Harrison |
| No. | Pos. | Nation | Player |
| — | MF | ENG | Daniel James |
| — | MF | ENG | Noah Muwana |
| — | MF | ENG | William Okine |
| 47 | MF | ENG | Bailey Palmer |
| — | MF | ENG | Leon Parker |
| — | MF | ENG | Joe Roberts |
| — | MF | ENG | Ethan Scott |
| — | MF | ENG | McCartney Woodhouse |
| — | FW | ENG | Leandro Bevin |
| — | FW | ENG | Frankie Coulson |
| — | FW | ENG | Collins Nino |
| — | FW | ENG | Finley O'Gorman |

## 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 |

### 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 Cummings |
| 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
| Year | Player | Position | Apps |
| 1997 | Sean Kilgannon | Central Midfielder | 1 |
| 1997 | Chris Bennion | Goalkeeper | 1 |
| 1997 | Mark Hudson | Central Midfielder | 6 |
| 1998 | Stuart Parnaby | Right back | 127 |
| 1998 | Brad Jones | Goalkeeper | 74 |
| 1998 | Luke Wilkshire | Right back | 25 |
| 1998 | Carlos Marinelli | Attacking midfielder | 46 |
| 1998 | Brian Close | Right back | 1 |
| 1999 | Craig Dove | Left midfielder | 2 |
| 2000 | Stewart Downing | Left midfielder | 404 |
| 2000 | David Murphy | Left back | 16 |
| 2000 | Jamie Cade | Striker | 1 |
| 2001 | Andrew Davies | Centre back | 71 |
| 2001 | Ross Turnbull | Goalkeeper | 29 |
| 2002 | Andrew Taylor | Left back | 145 |
| 2002 | Tony McMahon | Right back | 137 |
| 2002 | Danny Graham | Striker | 39 |
| 2002 | James Morrison | Attacking midfielder | 98 |
| 2003 | Jason Kennedy | Central Midfielder | 7 |
| 2003 | Matthew Bates | Centre back | 126 |
| 2003 | Tom Craddock | Striker | 5 |
| 2003 | David Wheater | Centre back | 157 |
| 2003 | Adam Johnson | Right midfielder | 120 |
| 2004 | Graeme Owens | Right midfielder | 1 |
| 2004 | Jonathan Grounds | Left back | 37 |
| 2004 | Lee Cattermole | Defensive midfielder | 91 |
| 2004 | Seb Hines | Centre back | 87 |
| 2004 | Rhys Williams | Defensive midfielder | 141 |
| 2004 | Ben Hutchinson | Striker | 9 |
| 2005 | Josh Walker | Central Midfielder | 13 |
| 2005 | John Johnson | Centre back | 1 |
| 2006 | Jonathan Franks | Right winger | 30 |
| 2006 | Joe Bennett | Left back | 92 |
| 2006 | Jason Steele | Goalkeeper | 142 |
| 2007 | Richard Smallwood | Defensive midfielder | 72 |
| 2008 | Cameron Park | Left midfielder | 5 |
| 2009 | Luke Williams | Striker | 42 |
| 2009 | Connor Ripley | Goalkeeper | 3 |
| 2009 | Ben Gibson | Centre back | 203 |
| 2009 | Adam Reach | Attacking midfielder | 78 |
| 2011 | Jordan Jones | Left midfielder | 1 |
| 2012 | Bryn Morris | Defensive midfielder | 3 |
| 2012 | Bradley Fewster | Striker | 2 |
| 2013 | Dael Fry | Centre back | 107 |
| 2014 | Nathan McGinley | Centre back | 1 |
| 2014 | Harry Chapman | Left midfielder | 4 |
| 2015 | Ben Liddle | Central Midfielder | 2 |
| 2015 | Hayden Coulson | Left back | 32 |
| 2016 | Aynsley Pears | Goalkeeper | 25 |
| 2016 | Marcus Tavernier | Left midfielder | 81 |
| 2016 | Stephen Walker | Striker | 10 |
| 2017 | Tyrone O'Neill | Striker | 1 |
| 2017 | Billal Brahimi | Left winger | 1 |
| 2018 | Nathan Wood | Centre back | 7 |

### Players who have played for other football clubs

    As of 30 January 2020
| Year | Player | Position |
| 1998 | Christian Hanson | Centre back |
| 1998 | Arthuro | Striker |
| 1998 | Aron Wilford | Striker |
| 1998 | Ger Robinson | Striker |
| 1999 | Sam Russell | Goalkeeper |
| 1999 | Phil Gulliver | Centre back |
| 1999 | Keith Gilroy | Central Midfielder |
| 1999 | Stephen Brackstone | Central Midfielder |
| 2000 | Gary Smith | Central Midfielder |
| 2000 | Andrew Kelly | Centre back |
| 2000 | Sergio van Kanten | Central Midfielder |
| 2001 | Chris Brunt | Central Midfielder |
| 2002 | Gary Liddle | Centre back |
| 2002 | Anthony Peacock | Central Midfielder |
| 2002 | Michaël Van Geele | Central Midfielder |
| 2003 | David Knight | Goalkeeper |
| 2003 | Dale Roberts | Goalkeeper |
| 2003 | Nathan Mulligan | Central Midfielder |
| 2004 | Kevin Burgess | Centre back |
| 2004 | Hérold Goulon | Defensive midfielder |
| 2005 | Stephen Thompson | Striker |
| 2005 | Nathan Fisher | Striker |
| 2005 | Daryl Robson | Central Midfielder |
| 2006 | Nathan Porritt | Central Midfielder |
| 2006 | Shaun Saiko | Attacking midfielder |
| 2007 | Jordan Robinson | Centre back |
| 2007 | Gary Martin | Striker |
| 2007 | Ashley Corker | Left back |
| 2008 | Patrick Otte | Left midfielder |
| 2008 | James Gray | Striker |
| 2009 | Charlie Wyke | Striker |
| 2009 | Adam Smith | Goalkeeper |
| 2009 | Ryan Brobbel | Left midfielder |
| 2009 | Matthew Dolan | Central Midfielder |
| 2010 | Wilson Kneeshaw | Striker |
| 2010 | Jarrett Rivers | Right midfielder |
| 2010 | Curtis Edwards | Right midfielder |
| 2010 | Adam Jackson | Centre back |
| 2011 | Zak Boagey | Striker |
| 2011 | Anthony Hernandez | Striker |
| 2012 | Mark Kitching | Centre back |
| 2012 | Joe Fryer | Goalkeeper |
| 2012 | David Atkinson | Centre back |
| 2013 | Jonny Burn | Centre back |
| 2013 | Callum Cooke | Attacking midfielder |
| 2014 | Luke Coddington | Goalkeeper |
| 2014 | Callum Johnson | Right back |
| 2014 | Junior Mondal | Left midfielder |
| 2016 | Alex Pattison | Central Midfielder |
| 2016 | Luke Armstrong | Striker |

### 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
| Team | Player(s) |
| 2012 GB Olympic Team | Jason Steele |
| England U-16s | Jamie Cade, Lee Cattermole, Callum Cooke, Hayden Coulson, Stewart Downing, Bradley Fewster, Jonathan Franks, Seb Hines, Adam Jackson, David Knight, Tony McMahon, Bryn Morris, David Murphy, Stuart Parnaby, Jason Steele, Andrew Taylor, Ross Turnbull, David Wheater, Nathan Wood |
| England U-17s | Lee Cattermole, Callum Cooke, Hayden Coulson, Matthew Elsdon, Bradley Fewster, Jonathan Franks, Dael Fry, Ben Gibson, Seb Hines, Adam Jackson, David Knight, Tony McMahon, Bryn Morris, James Morrison, Nathan Porritt, Jason Steele, Andrew Taylor, Ross Turnbull, Stephen Walker, David Wheater, Luke Williams, Nathan Wood |
| England U-18s | Matthew Bates, Stephen Brackstone, Lee Cattermole, Harry Chapman, Callum Cooke, Hayden Coulson, Stewart Downing, Bradley Fewster, Jonathan Franks, Dael Fry, Ben Gibson, Adam Jackson, David Knight, Bryn Morris, James Morrison, Stuart Parnaby, Richard Smallwood, Andrew Taylor, Ross Turnbull, Stephen Walker, David Wheater |
| England U-19s | Matthew Bates, Joe Bennett, Lee Cattermole, Stewart Downing, Bradley Fewster, Jonathan Franks, Dael Fry, Seb Hines, Adam Jackson, Adam Johnson, David Knight, Tony McMahon, Bryn Morris, James Morrison, Adam Reach, Connor Ripley, Jason Steele, Marcus Tavernier, Andrew Taylor, Ross Turnbull, Stephen Walker, David Wheater, Luke Williams |
| England U-20s | Joe Bennett, Harry Chapman, Jonathan Franks, Dael Fry, Ben Gibson, Danny Graham, Bryn Morris, James Morrison, Stuart Parnaby, Adam Reach, Connor Ripley, Marcus Tavernier, Andrew Taylor, Josh Walker, Luke Williams |
| England U-21s | Joe Bennett, Lee Cattermole, Andrew Davies, Stewart Downing, Dael Fry, Ben Gibson, Adam Johnson, Stuart Parnaby, Jason Steele, Andrew Taylor, David Wheater |
| England C Team | Dale Roberts |
| England B Team | Stewart Downing |
| Senior Team | Stewart Downing, Adam Johnson |
| Wales U-21s | Rhys Williams |
| Scotland U-16s | Lucas Reed, William Wandji |
| Scotland U-19s | Cameron Park |
| Scotland U-21s | Cameron Park |
| Scotland Senior Team | James Morrison, Graeme Murty, Robbie Stockdale |
| Northern Ireland U-16s | James Gray |
| Northern Ireland U-17s | Ryan Brobbel, James Gray |
| Northern Ireland U-18s | Ryan Brobbel |
| Northern Ireland U-19s | Ryan Brobbel, Chris Brunt, James Gray, Jordan Jones |
| Northern Ireland U-21s | Ryan Brobbel, Chris Brunt, Brian Close, James Gray |
| Northern Ireland U-23s | Chris Brunt, Brian Close |
| Northern Ireland Senior Team | Chris Brunt, Jordan Jones |
| Gibraltar U-19s | Anthony Hernandez |
| Gibraltar | Anthony Hernandez |
| Ireland U-16s | Keith Gilroy |
| Ireland U-17s | Ger Robinson |
| Ireland U-21s | Keith Gilroy |
| Australia U-20s | Brad Jones, Luke Wilkshire |
| Australia U-23s | Brad Jones, Luke Wilkshire |
| Australia Senior Team | Brad Jones, Luke Wilkshire, Rhys Williams |
| Canada U-20s | Shaun Saiko |
| Canada U-23s | Shaun Saiko |
| France U-19s | Billal Brahimi |
| France U-21s | Hérold Goulon |
| Argentina U-17s | Carlos Marinelli |
| Argentina U-20s | Carlos Marinelli |

## Honours

* FA Youth Cup
    Winners (1): 2003–04
    Runners-up (2): 1989–90, 2002–03
* Professional U18 Development League
    Winners (1): 2014–15
* North Riding Senior Cup
    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
* The Central League
    Winners (1): 2011–12
    Runners-up (2): 1995–96, 2010–11
* Central League Cup
    Winners (1): 2014–15