2021–22 Professional U23 Development League

The 2021–22 Professional U23 Development League was the tenth season of the Professional Development League system.

Nottingham Forest U23s and Birmingham City U23s both gained category one status. Manchester City U23s were the defending champions and successfully defend the title.
Leeds United U23s and Crystal Palace U23s were both promoted and Southampton U23s were relegated.

Premier League 2

Division 1

Table

Results

Division 2

Table

Results

=Play-offs

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Semifinals

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Final

Professional Development League

The Professional Development League season is the tenth campaign of post-EPPP Under-23 football's second tier, designed for those academies with Category 2 status. A total of 17 teams are split regionally into north and south divisions, with each team facing opponents in their own region twice both home and away and opponents in the other region once resulting in 23 games for the North Division, and 24 games for the South Division. The sides finishing in the top two positions in both regions at the end of the season will progress to a knockout stage to determine the overall league champion. Birmingham City U23s are the defending national champions.

17 Teams competed in the league this season, a record low for the competition with 1 fewer team than last season. Birmingham City U23s, the defending national champions would leave the league after 9 seasons alongside Nottingham Forest U23s to join the Premier League 2 as Category One Academies. Both founding members of the league left after 9 seasons. Peterborough United U23s joined as a Category Two Academy joining the North Division.

Tables

North Division

South Division

Knock-out stage

Semi-finals

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Final

See also

* 2021–22 in English football

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Professional U23 Development League 2021-22
2021–22 in English football leagues
2021–22