Hibernian F.C. Reserves and Academy
 | |||
| Ground |
Hibernian Training Centre East Lothian | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Chairman | Rod Petrie | ||
| Head Coach | Grant Murray | ||
| League | SPFL Reserve League | ||
| 2017–18 | 1st (Development League) | ||
| Website | Club website | ||
|
| |||
In addition to their first team competing in the Scottish Premiership, Hibernian F.C. also maintain a reserve team competing in the SPFL Reserve League, as well as further teams for younger age groups playing in competitions such as the Scottish Challenge Cup and the Scottish Youth Cup within the club's academy.
A reserve team was fielded for many years until the abandonment of the most recent league for those teams in 2009. An under-20 side took part in the SPFL Development League until it was disbanded in 2018 – Hibs were its final champions.
Competitions
Prior to the introduction of the Scottish Premier League in 1998, the Under-20s previously competed in the youth league administered by the Scottish Football League. From 2015 onwards it is possible for the Hibs academy to participate in the UEFA Youth League by the Under-17 side winning the previous season's league at that age group; however this has not yet been achieved.
For the 2016–17 edition of the Scottish Challenge Cup, Under-20 teams of Premiership clubs were granted entry to compete against adult teams for the first time in the modern era. As Hibs were in the second tier that season, it was their senior team who entered the competition. Hibs under-20s first entered the Challenge Cup in the 2017–18 edition, losing 2–1 to Elgin City in the first round.[1]
Academy background
Hibs' main area of recruitment is the Lothian and Borders region around Edinburgh which has a population of around one million. They face a constant battle with rivals Heart of Midlothian to sign the most promising youngsters in the area. In the past both Hibs and Hearts have signed many players from youth club Hutchison Vale.[2]
In 2016 the Investors in People Silver Award was bestowed on the Hibernian Academy for its work with the young people connected to the organisation.[3]
In 2017, the Hibernian academy was one of eight across the country designated 'elite' status on the introduction of Project Brave, an SFA initiative to concentrate the development of the best young players at a smaller number of clubs with high quality facilities and coaching than was previously the case.[4][5]
Although the official home of the academy teams is the club's training centre near Ormiston, the Under-20 matches usually take place at lower league stadia: Ainslie Park in Edinburgh, home of Spartans F.C. is used most frequently, and fixtures have also been played at the indoor Oriam facility which is the official venue for the reserves in the 2018–19 season.[6]
The Under-20s head coach is Grant Murray, assisted by Eddie May (the overall head of the academy) and Lee Makel.[7]
U20 Development squad
- As of November 2017
Note: Several players on the list have either made first team appearances for Hibs, or have been loaned to other SPFL clubs; however they can still be selected for Development League fixtures whenever available to play.[8][9]
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
|
|
- = currently out on loan
Honours
Notes
- ↑ Since 1993. Previously known as the Scottish Football League Youth Division, Scottish Premier under-18/under-19/under-20 League and SPFL under-20 League
Former reserve/youth team players
This list focuses on the players who have graduated through Hibernian's academy, and have made at least 50 first team appearances, since the inception of the SPL in 1998. This includes a group considered a "golden generation", who helped Hibs to Scottish League Cup finals in 2004[12][13] and 2007[14][15] (the latter of which they won), and most of whom went on to play for Scotland.[16][17] Many other of the club's earlier notable players also came through the youth system. Players currently at Hibs in bold.
- As of August 2017
References
- ↑ "Challenge Cup: Annan beat Celtic U20, Dundee United see off Cowdenbeath". BBC Sport. BBC. 15 August 2017. Retrieved 17 August 2017.
- ↑ "Famous Hutchie Players". Hutchison Vale Community Sports Football Club. Retrieved 6 August 2018.
- ↑ "Academy awarded 'Investors in young people' award". Hibernian FC. Retrieved 9 February 2017.
- ↑ "Project Brave: Scottish FA confirms eight-club academy elite". BBC Sport. 15 November 2017. Retrieved 29 July 2018.
- ↑ "SFA confirms Project Brave academy placings". The Scotsman. 15 November 2017. Retrieved 29 July 2018.
- ↑ "SPFL Reserve League fixtures" (PDF). SPFL. Retrieved 6 August 2018.
- ↑ "Technical coaching staff". Hibernian Academy. Retrieved 11 November 2017.
- ↑ "Development Squad 2017–18". Hibernian Academy. Retrieved 11 November 2017.
- ↑ "Youth Team". Hibernian F.C. Retrieved 11 November 2017.
- ↑ Crawford, Kenny (26 April 2018). "Scottish Youth Cup final: Hibernian beat Aberdeen 3-1". BBC Sport. BBC. Retrieved 26 April 2018.
- ↑ "Hibs clinch the SPFL Development League title". Edinburgh Evening News. 17 April 2018. Retrieved 17 April 2018.
- ↑ "Livingston lift CIS Cup". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. 14 March 2004. Retrieved 10 August 2017.
- ↑ Moffat, Colin (20 April 2004). "Few Hibees will mourn Williamson". BBC Sport. BBC. Retrieved 10 August 2017.
- ↑ Lindsay, Clive (18 March 2007). "Kilmarnock 1–5 Hibernian". BBC Sport. BBC. Retrieved 10 August 2017.
- ↑ "Steven Whittaker recalls his Scottish League Cup triumph with Hibernian's golden generation a decade ago". Daily Mail. 18 March 2017. Retrieved 10 August 2017.
- ↑ Hardie, David (20 July 2011). "Defender of Hibees' new gems". The Scotsman. Retrieved 10 August 2017.
- ↑ "The Hibee golden generation ... out-of-work Derek Riordan still training with Livingston". Daily Record. 19 January 2015. Retrieved 10 August 2017.