SPFL Development League
 | |
| Country | Scotland |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1998 (as Scottish Premier under-18 League) |
| Divisions | 1 |
| Number of teams | 17 |
| Level on pyramid | 1 |
| Relegation to | N/A |
| Domestic cup(s) | Scottish Youth Cup |
| Current champions |
Celtic (2015–16) |
 Current Season | |
The SPFL Development League is the top level of youth football in Scotland. It is contested by the Under-20 teams of 17 Scottish Professional Football League clubs.
The current champions are Celtic.
History
A youth league was founded as the Scottish Premier under-18 League in 1998. Clubs fielded under-18 teams, with the Scottish Premier Reserve League originally being an under-21 league. The competition was changed in 2003 when it became the Scottish Premier under-19 League. The teams played 22 matches rather than 30.
For the 2012–13 season, the competition changed again, this time to the Scottish Premier under-20 league, there were 15 teams, and teams played 28 matches per season.[1] With the inception of the Scottish Professional Football League for the 2013–14 season, the league become the SPFL U20 League and the number of teams increased to 16.[2] Teams were allowed to field two over-age outfield players and an overage goalkeeper.[3]
The league was renamed the SPFL Development League in 2014, with the number of teams increased to 17.[4] At this time two regional leagues were also introduced, with eight clubs competing in the Development League West and nine clubs competing in the Development League East.[5] The restriction on over-age players was relaxed, with teams now permitted to use five older players in a matchday squad of 18.[6]
Current participants
The participants for the 2015–16 SPFL Development League season are:
Source: SPFL Development League 2014/15 fixtures
Winners
Under-18 League
| Season | Winner |
|---|---|
| 1998–99 | Aberdeen |
| 1999–00 | Celtic |
| 2000–01 | Heart of Midlothian |
| 2001–02 | Rangers |
| 2002–03 | Celtic |
Under-19 League
| Season | Winner |
|---|---|
| 2003–04 | Celtic |
| 2004–05 | Celtic |
| 2005–06 | Celtic |
| 2006–07 | Rangers |
| 2007–08 | Rangers |
| 2008–09 | Hibernian |
| 2009–10 | Celtic |
| 2010–11 | Celtic |
| 2011–12 | Celtic |
Under-20 League
| Season | Winner |
|---|---|
| 2012–13 | Celtic |
| 2013–14 | Celtic |
Development League
| Season | Winner |
|---|---|
| 2014–15 | Aberdeen |
References
- ↑ "SPL to create Under-20 league". STV Sport. 12 April 2012. Retrieved 1 August 2012.
- ↑ "U20 League fixtures". www.spfl.co.uk. SPFL. 6 August 2013. Retrieved 6 August 2013.
- ↑ Waddell, Gordon (9 October 2011). "Reserve league football could return as part of SFA plan to revamp Scottish game". Daily Record. Retrieved 5 August 2014.
- ↑ "Development League fixture list". www.spfl.co.uk. SPFL. 7 July 2014. Retrieved 7 July 2014.
- ↑ "Development League East & West fixtures". www.spfl.co.uk. SPFL. 14 July 2014. Retrieved 14 July 2014.
- ↑ Development League kicks off, SPFL
- ↑ "Paul Sheerin joins Aberdeen as coach after leaving Arbroath". BBC Sport. BBC. 13 June 2014. Retrieved 13 June 2014.
- ↑ "Hearts: Jon Daly to switch from Raith Rovers to be youth coach". BBC Sport. BBC. 4 November 2015. Retrieved 26 April 2016.
- ↑ Wales, Peter (3 October 2014). "Hibs appoint Joe McBride as Under-20s coach". Edinburgh Evening News. Retrieved 17 August 2015.
- ↑ "Former Rangers star Johansson quits Motherwell post and Craigan takes over". The Herald. Herald & Times Group. 10 July 2015. Retrieved 16 August 2015.