Portsmouth FC are pleased to report that the Football League has approved the club’s academy status for next season.
Following relegation to the Football League, the club had to show that its set-up was suitable to retain academy status under the requirements of Football League rules.
Blues’ chief executive David Lampitt and director of youth operations Paul Smalley met with Football League representatives and submitted a significant amount of information to demonstrate the club’s commitment to the academy structure.
Last week the Football League board agreed to grant the licence for the coming season.
“We persuaded them of the value of what we do,” said Lampitt. “Paul and the academy staff worked hard to ensure we were able to demonstrate how important the academy is to the club, both now and in the future.
“It’s important that we continue to invest in this area because we want to be able to attract the best local talent to Pompey.”
Smalley added: “It’s fantastic news that the Football League can see our vision and philosophy about developing home-grown talent.
“An academy programme is so vital to this club – especially with our neighbours Southampton and Reading both having one.
“The south coast contains talented, elite players who we will be seeking out to recruit into a programme which will always be developing and evolving.
“Our past successes have seen players like Marlon Pack, Joel Ward, Matt Ritchie and Liam O’Brien graduate to the first team.
“Praise must go to all the staff who have kept believing in the academy as the club have had to overcome some difficult challenges.”