Re: Home grown players/Youth Development
 

When Stanley reserves got promoted in the 80s they would play against Division 1 NW Club's A&B teams and the likes of UMIST.

At the start of the century A&B teams were replaced by U19 and U17 academy teams. The development squads which some people refer to as U21 and other U23 are the step between the academy and first team squad, but are not age restricted.

Re: Home grown players/Youth Development
 

I've not seen much of Ross Sykes, but when I have seen him play (Crewe in Checkatrade) he didn't look out his depth and could play it out from the back well. Also heard good things about Reagan Ogle who's been on trial at Stoke!

Just because youngsters like Ogle and Sykes have had trials at Prem clubs it doesn't mean they are good enough to play League 2 just yet though.

The thing with Premier League clubs, They can afford to have all these 16/17/18 year olds in their Development/Reserve teams but how many will get released every summer and never heard of again?

Chelsea a great example, They have something like 30 players out on loan...29 of them will probably get released but they can afford to hope that one of them makes it good!