Bolton Wanderers has confirmed that its Academy has been awarded Category Two status for the first time in six years. This upgrade comes after the club's sporting director, Fergal Harkin, revealed earlier this year that the club was working to upgrade the youth set-up.

What happened?

The Academy's upgrade to Category Two status is a result of an independent audit of the Whites' youth set-up, which judged against a number of requirements including facilities, staffing, coaching, recruitment, education, and player welfare. The upgrade was awarded following a thorough evaluation of the club's youth development program.

Why it matters for Bolton Wanderers

This upgrade is a significant milestone for Bolton Wanderers, as it provides a broader and more demanding games programme for young players. The Professional Development League, which the Under-18 and Under-21 sides will now compete in, will offer a more challenging environment for the youngsters to develop their skills.

What comes next?

The club's sporting director, Fergal Harkin, has expressed his pride in the Academy staff, led by Dave Gardiner, for their hard work and dedication. Harkin has stated that the upgrade is a result of the team's commitment to building a strong and sustainable pathway from the Academy to the first team. The club is already seeing the benefits of this approach, with Academy graduate Toby Ritchie travelling with the first team to Slovakia this week.

The upgrade to Category Two status comes at a cost of around £1million per season, compared to the previous level. However, the club believes that this investment will pay off in the long run, as it provides a more challenging environment for young players to develop their skills.

As the club continues to develop its own players, it is clear that the upgrade to Category Two status is a significant step forward. The club's ambition is to build a strong and sustainable pathway from the Academy to the first team, and this upgrade is a major milestone in achieving that goal.

In related news, Bolton Wanderers currently sits 5th in League One, with 75 points from 46 games, and a recent form of LDDWL. The team is 28 points behind leaders Lincoln in the title race, with 70 goals scored and 52 conceded this season, resulting in a +18 goal difference.