2022–23 Professional U21 Development League#Professional Development League
The 2022–23 Professional U21 Development League was the 11th season of the Professional Development League system.
The Premier League 2 reverted back to a U21 competition ahead of the 2022–23 season.{{cite web |title=Premier League 2 becomes under-21 competition |url=https://www.premierleague.com/news/2648759#:~:text=From%20the%20start%20of%20the,EFL%20Trophy%20and%20international%20competitions. |website=Premier League |access-date=27 July 2022}} Burnley, Birmingham City and Reading left the league after failing to retain category one academy status.{{cite web |title=CLARETS ACADEMY TO OPERATE AS CATEGORY TWO |url=https://www.burnleyfootballclub.com/content/clarets-academy-to-operate-as-category-two |website=Burnley FC |access-date=27 July 2022}}{{cite web |title=Blues to operate as Category 2 Academy |url=https://www.bcfc.com/news/all/blues-to-operate-as-category-2-academy |website=Birmingham City |access-date=27 July 2022}}{{cite web |title=OUR ACADEMY TO TAKE CATEGORY TWO STATUS IN 2022-23 |url=https://www.readingfc.co.uk/news/2022/july/21/our-academy-to-take-category-two-status-in-2022-23/ |website=Reading FC |date=21 July 2022 |access-date=27 July 2022}}
For the 2022–23 season onwards, player eligibility was restricted to under-21 players (reduced from under-23) born after 1 January 2001. To help with the transition, teams were allowed up to five over-age outfield players (up from three) and one over-age goalkeeper for the 2022-23 season.
{{Infobox football league season
| competition = Premier League 2
| season = 2022–23
| winners = Manchester City U21s (3rd Title)
Division 2
Southampton U21s (1st Title)
| promoted= Southampton U21s
Leeds United U21s
|relegated =Tottenham Hotspur U21s
Leicester City U21s
| league topscorer = Carlos Borges Manchester City U21s
(21 goals)
| biggest home win = {{nowrap|Southampton U21s 8–1 Middlesbrough U21s}}
(30 October 2022)
| biggest away win = {{nowrap|Leicester City U21s 0–7 Fulham U21s}}
(10 October 2022)
| highest scoring = {{nowrap|Sunderland U21s 5–7 Middlesbrough U21s}}
(9 January 2023) Record
| matches = 295
| matches footnote =
(292 RS, 3 PO)
| total goals = 1098
| total goals footnote =
( 1,089 RS, 9 PO)
| longest wins = 4 Matches Manchester City U21s
| longest unbeaten = 11 Matches Manchester City U21s
| longest winless = 20 matches Entire season Derby County U21s
| longest losses = 12 matches Derby County U21s
(5 August 2022-13 February 2023)
| highest attendance = 12,546 {{nowrap|Leeds United U21s 3–0 Nottingham Forest U21s}}
(15 May 2023) Play-Off Final
| lowest attendance = 30 {{nowrap|Derby County U21s 0–2 Aston Villa U21s}}
(29 October 2022)
| prevseason = 2021–22
| nextseason = 2023–24
}}
Premier League 2
=Division 1=
{{updated|match played 8 May 2023}}
==Table==
|update=complete
|source={{cite web |title=Premier League 2 Division One |url=https://int.soccerway.com/national/england/premier-league-2-division-one/20222023/regular-season/r70511/|website=Soccerway|access-date=24 April 2023}}{{cite web |title=Premier League 2 table |url=https://www.premierleague.com/tables?team=U21|website=Premier League|access-date=24 April 2023}}
|show_limit=5
|team1=MNC
|team2=LIV
|team3=CHE
|team4=CRY
|team5=FUL
|team6=BHA
|team7=ARS
|team8=EVE
|team9=MNU
|team10=BLA
|team11=WHU
|team12=WOL
|team13=TOT
|team14=LEI
|result1=pro |result13=rel|result14=rel
|status_MNC=C
|status_LEI=R
|status_TOT=R
|win_ARS=8 |draw_ARS=10|loss_ARS=8 |gf_ARS=39 |ga_ARS=40
|win_BLA=9 |draw_BLA=2 |loss_BLA=15|gf_BLA=42 |ga_BLA=52
|win_BHA=11|draw_BHA=6 |loss_BHA=9 |gf_BHA=58 |ga_BHA=49
|win_CHE=12|draw_CHE=7 |loss_CHE=7 |gf_CHE=55 |ga_CHE=42
|win_CRY=11|draw_CRY=9 |loss_CRY=6 |gf_CRY=45 |ga_CRY=42
|win_EVE=9 |draw_EVE=5 |loss_EVE=12|gf_EVE=39 |ga_EVE=51
|win_FUL=11|draw_FUL=8 |loss_FUL=7 |gf_FUL=50 |ga_FUL=39
|win_LEI=4 |draw_LEI=7 |loss_LEI=15|gf_LEI=29 |ga_LEI=57
|win_LIV=13|draw_LIV=7 |loss_LIV=6 |gf_LIV=46 |ga_LIV=29
|win_MNC=18|draw_MNC=5 |loss_MNC=3 |gf_MNC=80 |ga_MNC=31
|win_MNU=6 |draw_MNU=12|loss_MNU=8 |gf_MNU=46 |ga_MNU=64
|win_TOT=6 |draw_TOT=10|loss_TOT=10|gf_TOT=34 |ga_TOT=46
|win_WHU=8 |draw_WHU=4 |loss_WHU=14|gf_WHU=39 |ga_WHU=49
|win_WOL=8 |draw_WOL=4 |loss_WOL=14|gf_WOL=39 |ga_WOL=50
|name_ARS=Arsenal U21s
|name_BLA=Blackburn Rovers U21s
|name_BHA=Brighton & Hove Albion U21s
|name_CHE=Chelsea U21s
|name_CRY=Crystal Palace U21s
|name_EVE=Everton U21s
|name_FUL=Fulham U21s
|name_LEI=Leicester City U21s
|name_LIV=Liverpool U21s
|name_MNC=Manchester City U21s
|name_MNU=Manchester United U21s
|name_TOT=Tottenham Hotspur U21s
|name_WHU=West Ham United U21s
|name_WOL=Wolverhampton Wanderers U21
|col_pro=green1
|col_rel=red1
}}
==Results==
{{#invoke:sports results|main
|update = complete
|matches_style=FBR|solid_cell=grey
|source= [https://www.premierleague.com/results?team=U21]
|team1=ARS|team2=BLA|team3=BHA|team4=CHE|team5=CRY|team6=EVE|team7=FUL|team8=LEI|team9=LIV |team10=MNC |team11=MNU |team12=TOT|team13=WHU|team14=WOL
|name_ARS=Arsenal U21ss
|match_ARS_BLA=4–1
|match_ARS_BHA=3–3
|match_ARS_CHE=4–1
|match_ARS_CRY=1–1
|match_ARS_EVE=3–1
|match_ARS_FUL=1–1
|match_ARS_LEI=2–1
|match_ARS_LIV=0–1
|match_ARS_MNC=0–3
|match_ARS_MNU=3–1
|match_ARS_TOT=1–2
|match_ARS_WHU=1–1
|match_ARS_WOL=1–1
|name_BLA=Blackburn Rovers U21s
|match_BLA_ARS=1–1
|match_BLA_BHA=1–2
|match_BLA_CHE=2–3
|match_BLA_CRY=1–3
|match_BLA_EVE=4–2
|match_BLA_FUL=2–3
|match_BLA_LEI=0–4
|match_BLA_LIV=2–3
|match_BLA_MNC=0–3
|match_BLA_MNU=6–1
|match_BLA_TOT=3–2
|match_BLA_WHU=2–2
|match_BLA_WOL=0–1
|name_BHA=Brighton & Hove Albion U21s
|match_BHA_ARS=2–2
|match_BHA_BLA=4–2
|match_BHA_CHE=2–2
|match_BHA_CRY=2–4
|match_BHA_EVE=1–2
|match_BHA_FUL=1–0
|match_BHA_LEI=3–1
|match_BHA_LIV=1–1
|match_BHA_MNC=3–2
|match_BHA_MNU=3–2
|match_BHA_TOT=4–0
|match_BHA_WHU=3–2
|match_BHA_WOL=3–1
|name_CHE=Chelsea U21s
|match_CHE_ARS=1–0
|match_CHE_BLA=3–0
|match_CHE_BHA=1–4
|match_CHE_CRY=1–2
|match_CHE_EVE=1–1
|match_CHE_FUL=0–3
|match_CHE_LEI=2–2
|match_CHE_LIV=3–1
|match_CHE_MNC=2–2
|match_CHE_MNU=3–3
|match_CHE_TOT=3–0
|match_CHE_WHU=2–3
|match_CHE_WOL=2–0
|name_CRY=Crystal Palace U21s
|match_CRY_ARS=2–0
|match_CRY_BLA=0–3
|match_CRY_BHA=3–2
|match_CRY_CHE=3–3
|match_CRY_EVE=3–4
|match_CRY_FUL=1–2
|match_CRY_LEI=0–0
|match_CRY_LIV=0–1
|match_CRY_MNC=0–5
|match_CRY_MNU=0–0
|match_CRY_TOT=3–0
|match_CRY_WHU=3–3
|match_CRY_WOL=2–1
|name_EVE=Everton U21s
|match_EVE_ARS=1–4
|match_EVE_BLA=2–0
|match_EVE_BHA=1–0
|match_EVE_CHE=0–2
|match_EVE_CRY=0–1
|match_EVE_FUL=1–1
|match_EVE_LEI=0–2
|match_EVE_LIV=1–1
|match_EVE_MNC=6–3
|match_EVE_MNU=2–2
|match_EVE_TOT=1–1
|match_EVE_WHU=1–2
|match_EVE_WOL=3–0
|name_FUL=Fulham U21s
|match_FUL_ARS=2–1
|match_FUL_BLA=3–0
|match_FUL_BHA=3–2
|match_FUL_CHE=2–4
|match_FUL_CRY=2–2
|match_FUL_EVE=2–0
|match_FUL_LEI=2–2
|match_FUL_LIV=0–4
|match_FUL_MNC=2–2
|match_FUL_MNU=1–2
|match_FUL_TOT=4–3
|match_FUL_WHU=3–1
|match_FUL_WOL=2–1
|name_LEI=Leicester City U21s
|match_LEI_ARS=1–2
|match_LEI_BLA=0–1
|match_LEI_BHA=1–4
|match_LEI_CHE=0–2
|match_LEI_CRY=1–1
|match_LEI_EVE=1-4
|match_LEI_FUL=0–7
|match_LEI_LIV=0–1
|match_LEI_MNC=0–0
|match_LEI_MNU=3–2
|match_LEI_TOT=2–2
|match_LEI_WHU=3–1
|match_LEI_WOL=0–1
|name_LIV=Liverpool U21s
|match_LIV_ARS=1–1
|match_LIV_BLA=1–0
|match_LIV_BHA=2–2
|match_LIV_CHE=0–0
|match_LIV_CRY=0–1
|match_LIV_EVE=2–1
|match_LIV_FUL=3–1
|match_LIV_LEI=7–1
|match_LIV_MNC=0–3
|match_LIV_MNU=2–2
|match_LIV_TOT=0–2
|match_LIV_WHU=1–0
|match_LIV_WOL=5–0
|name_MNC=Manchester City U21s
|match_MNC_ARS=6–0
|match_MNC_BLA=1–3
|match_MNC_BHA=2–1
|match_MNC_CHE=3–1
|match_MNC_CRY=3–3
|match_MNC_EVE=5–0
|match_MNC_FUL=1–0
|match_MNC_LEI=3–1
|match_MNC_LIV=3–1
|match_MNC_MNU=6–0
|match_MNC_TOT=0–0
|match_MNC_WHU=4–1
|match_MNC_WOL=4–3
|name_MNU=Manchester United U21s
|match_MNU_ARS=1–0
|match_MNU_BLA=2–1
|match_MNU_BHA=3–3
|match_MNU_CHE=1–3
|match_MNU_CRY=1–5
|match_MNU_EVE=4–1
|match_MNU_FUL=2–2
|match_MNU_LEI=2–2
|match_MNU_LIV=2–1
|match_MNU_MNC=1–6
|match_MNU_TOT=2–2
|match_MNU_WHU=1–1
|match_MNU_WOL=3–2
|name_TOT=Tottenham Hotspur U21s
|match_TOT_ARS=0–0
|match_TOT_BLA=1–3
|match_TOT_BHA=3–1
|match_TOT_CHE=3–2
|match_TOT_CRY=1–1
|match_TOT_EVE=0–2
|match_TOT_FUL=1–1
|match_TOT_LEI=3–1
|match_TOT_LIV=3–3
|match_TOT_MNC=1–2
|match_TOT_MNU=1–1
|match_TOT_WHU=1–0
|match_TOT_WOL=1–1
|name_WHU=West Ham United U21s
|match_WHU_ARS=2–3
|match_WHU_BLA=1–3
|match_WHU_BHA=3–2
|match_WHU_CHE=0–1
|match_WHU_CRY=0–1
|match_WHU_EVE=1–2
|match_WHU_FUL=1–0
|match_WHU_LEI=2–0
|match_WHU_LIV=0–3
|match_WHU_MNC=1–5
|match_WHU_MNU=2–3
|match_WHU_TOT=1–0
|match_WHU_WOL=3–1
|name_WOL=Wolverhampton Wanderers U21s
|match_WOL_ARS=2–0
|match_WOL_BLA=0–1
|match_WOL_BHA=2–0
|match_WOL_CHE=1–7
|match_WOL_CRY=5–0
|match_WOL_EVE=5–0
|match_WOL_FUL=1–1
|match_WOL_LEI=3–0
|match_WOL_LIV=0–1
|match_WOL_MNC=1–3
|match_WOL_MNU=2–2
|match_WOL_TOT=4–1
|match_WOL_WHU=0–5
}}
=Division 2=
{{updated|match played 15 May 2023}}
==Table==
|update=complete
|show_limit=5
|team1=SOU
|team2=LEE
|team3=NOT
|team4=WBA
|team5=AST
|team6=NOR
|team7=MID
|team8=NEW
|team9=SUN
|team10=STK
|team11=DER
|result1=pro|result2=PL|result3=PL|result4=PL|result5=PL
|win_AST=10|draw_AST=3 |loss_AST=7 |gf_AST=46 |ga_AST=35
|win_DER=0 |draw_DER=1 |loss_DER=19|gf_DER=13 |ga_DER=70
|win_LEE=13|draw_LEE=3 |loss_LEE=4 |gf_LEE=53 |ga_LEE=29
|win_MID=7 |draw_MID=5 |loss_MID=8 |gf_MID=46 |ga_MID=49
|win_NEW=6 |draw_NEW=5 |loss_NEW=9 |gf_NEW=35 |ga_NEW=41
|win_NOR=8 |draw_NOR=6 |loss_NOR=6 |gf_NOR=41 |ga_NOR=38
|win_NOT=13|draw_NOT=2 |loss_NOT=5 |gf_NOT=44 |ga_NOT=28
|win_STK=3 |draw_STK=5 |loss_STK=12|gf_STK=26 |ga_STK=45
|win_SOU=13|draw_SOU=3 |loss_SOU=4 |gf_SOU=54 |ga_SOU=28
|win_SUN=5 |draw_SUN=5 |loss_SUN=10|gf_SUN=37 |ga_SUN=44
|win_WBA=11|draw_WBA=4 |loss_WBA=5 |gf_WBA=47 |ga_WBA=35
|name_AST=Aston Villa U21s
|name_DER=Derby County U21s
|name_LEE=Leeds United U21s
|name_MID=Middlesbrough U21s
|name_NEW=Newcastle United U21s
|name_NOR=Norwich City U21s
|name_NOT=Nottingham Forest U21s
|name_STK=Stoke City U21s
|name_SOU=Southampton U21s
|name_SUN=Sunderland U21s
|name_WBA=West Bromwich Albion U21s
|status_SOU=C,P
|status_LEE=P
|status_=R
|col_pro=green1
|col_PL=yellow1
}}
==Results==
{{#invoke:sports results|main
| update = complete
|matches_style=FBR|solid_cell=grey
|source= [https://www.premierleague.com/results?team=U21]
|team1=AST|team2=DER|team3=LEE|team4=MID|team5=NEW|team6=NOR|team7=NOT|team8=SOU|team9=STK|team10=SUN|team11=WBA
|name_AST=Aston Villa U21s
|match_AST_DER=3–0
|match_AST_LEE=1–2
|match_AST_MID=3–3
|match_AST_NEW=1–2
|match_AST_NOR=2–1
|match_AST_NOT=1–1
|match_AST_SOU=1–2
|match_AST_STK=1–0
|match_AST_SUN=6–4
|match_AST_WBA=2–6
|name_DER=Derby County U21s
|match_DER_AST=0–2
|match_DER_LEE=2–5
|match_DER_MID=1–5
|match_DER_NEW=1–4
|match_DER_NOR=0–3
|match_DER_NOT=0–1
|match_DER_SOU=1–3
|match_DER_STK=1–6
|match_DER_SUN=0–4
|match_DER_WBA=1–5
|name_LEE=Leeds United U21s
|match_LEE_AST=2–1
|match_LEE_DER=3–0
|match_LEE_MID=3–1
|match_LEE_NEW=4–2
|match_LEE_NOR=2–2
|match_LEE_NOT=5–1
|match_LEE_SOU=6–2
|match_LEE_STK=4–0
|match_LEE_SUN=3–1
|match_LEE_WBA=1–2
|name_MID=Middlesbrough U21s
|match_MID_AST=2–3
|match_MID_DER=3–1
|match_MID_LEE=2–4
|match_MID_NEW=1–1
|match_MID_NOR=1–3
|match_MID_NOT=0–1
|match_MID_SOU=2–2
|match_MID_STK=4–1
|match_MID_SUN=2–0
|match_MID_WBA=2–4
|name_NEW=Newcastle United U21s
|match_NEW_AST=0–2
|match_NEW_DER=4–0
|match_NEW_LEE=2–2
|match_NEW_MID=0–0
|match_NEW_NOR=4–3
|match_NEW_NOT=2–1
|match_NEW_SOU=3–2
|match_NEW_STK=0–1
|match_NEW_SUN=1–1
|match_NEW_WBA=2–5
|name_NOR=Norwich City U21s
|match_NOR_AST=1–3
|match_NOR_DER=2–1
|match_NOR_LEE=5–2
|match_NOR_MID=2–2
|match_NOR_NEW=4–2
|match_NOR_NOT=0–3
|match_NOR_SOU=2–5
|match_NOR_STK=3–0
|match_NOR_SUN=3–2
|match_NOR_WBA=1–1
|name_NOT=Nottingham Forest U21s
|match_NOT_AST=4–3
|match_NOT_DER=7–2
|match_NOT_LEE=1–0
|match_NOT_MID=1–4
|match_NOT_NEW=3–1
|match_NOT_NOR=4–1
|match_NOT_SOU=1–3
|match_NOT_STK=4–1
|match_NOT_SUN=1–0
|match_NOT_WBA=0–0
|name_SOU=Southampton U21s
|match_SOU_AST=2–0
|match_SOU_DER=3–0
|match_SOU_LEE=1–2
|match_SOU_MID=8–1
|match_SOU_NEW=4–1
|match_SOU_NOR=1–1
|match_SOU_NOT=0–2
|match_SOU_STK=2–0
|match_SOU_SUN=2–2
|match_SOU_WBA=4–1
|name_STK=Stoke City U21s
|match_STK_AST=3–3
|match_STK_DER=4–0
|match_STK_LEE=1–1
|match_STK_MID=1–2
|match_STK_NEW=2–2
|match_STK_NOR=2–2
|match_STK_NOT=1–2
|match_STK_SOU=0–3
|match_STK_SUN=2–3
|match_STK_WBA=0–0
|name_SUN=Sunderland U21s
|match_SUN_AST=0–4
|match_SUN_DER=1–1
|match_SUN_LEE=0–1
|match_SUN_MID=5–7
|match_SUN_NEW=2–1
|match_SUN_NOR=0–0
|match_SUN_NOT=3–1
|match_SUN_SOU=1–3
|match_SUN_STK=4–1
|match_SUN_WBA=3–3
|name_WBA=West Bromwich Albion U21s
|match_WBA_AST=0–4
|match_WBA_DER=2–1
|match_WBA_LEE=2–1
|match_WBA_MID=5–2
|match_WBA_NEW=2–1
|match_WBA_NOR=1–2
|match_WBA_NOT=1–5
|match_WBA_SOU=1–2
|match_WBA_STK=4–0
|match_WBA_SUN=2–1
|status_=
|col_pro=green1
|col_PL=yellow1
}}
===Play-offs===
The date for semi-finals is confirmed as 8 May 2023 at 19:00.{{cite news |title=Leeds United U21 v Aston Villa U21|url=https://www.premierleague.com/match/84935/premier-league-2/2022-23/leeds-united-u21-v-aston-villa-u21 |access-date=2 May 2023 |publisher=www.premierleague.com |date=2 May 2023}}{{cite news |title=Nottm Forest U21 v West Bromwich Albion U21|url=https://www.premierleague.com/match/84934/premier-league-2/2022-23/nottm-forest-u21-v-west-bromwich-albion-u21 |access-date=2 May 2023 |publisher=www.premierleague.com |date=2 May 2023}}
The date for final is confirmed as 15 May 2023 at 19:00.{{cite news |title=U21S TICKET AND FIXTURE INFORMATION: NOTTINGHAM FOREST|url=https://www.leedsunited.com/news/academy/31452/u21s-ticket-and-fixture-information-nottingham-forest-h |access-date=11 May 2023 |publisher=www.leedsunited.com |date=10 May 2023}}
{{4TeamBracket | RD1=Semi-finals| RD2=Final
| team-width = 170
| score-width = 40
| RD1-seed1=2
| RD1-team1=Leeds United U21s
| RD1-score1=2
| RD1-seed2=5
| RD1-team2=Aston Villa U21s
| RD1-score2=1
| RD1-seed3=3
| RD1-team3=Nottingham Forest U21s
| RD1-score3=3
| RD1-seed4=4
| RD1-team4=West Bromwich Albion U21s
| RD1-score4=0
| RD2-team1=Leeds United U21s
| RD2-score1=3
| RD2-team2=Nottingham Forest U21s
| RD2-score2=0
}}
==Semifinals==
{{football box
| date = 8 May 2023
| time = 13:00
| team1 = Leeds United U21s
| score = 2–1
| attendance = 3,709
| report = https://www.premierleague.com/match/84935/premier-league-2/2022-23/leeds-united-u21-v-aston-villa-u21
| team2 = Aston Villa U21s
| goals1 =
| goals2 =
- Young {{goal|16}}
| stadium = Elland Road, Beeston
| referee= Garreth Rhodes
}}
----
{{football box
| date = 8 May 2023
| time = 13:00
| team1 = Nottingham Forest U21s
| score = 3–0
| aet =
| attendance = 177
| report = https://www.premierleague.com/match/84934/premier-league-2/2022-23/nottm-forest-u21-v-west-bromwich-albion-u21
| team2 = West Bromwich Albion U21s
| goals1 =
| goals2 =
| stadium = Impact Arena, Alfreton
| referee= Steven Copeland
}}
==Final==
{{football box
| date = 15 May 2023
| time = 13:00
| team1 = Leeds United U21s
| score = 3–0
| aet =
| attendance = 12,546
| report = https://www.premierleague.com/match/85568/premier-league-2/2022-23/leeds-united-u21-v-nottm-forest-u21
| team2 = Nottingham Forest U21s
| goals1 =
- Rutter {{goal|20}}
- Chilokoa-Mullen {{goal|38}}
- Moore {{goal|54}}
| goals2 =
| stadium = Elland Road, Beeston
| referee= Edward Duckworth
}}
Professional Development League
{{Infobox football league season
| competition = U21 Professional Development League
| image =
| pixels =
| season = 2022–23
| winners = Millwall U21s (1st Title)
| league topscorer = Louie Marsh Sheffield United U21s (23 Goals)
| biggest home win = {{nowrap| Swansea City U21s 10–1 Birmingham City U21s}}
(10 May 2023)
| biggest away win = {{nowrap| Burnley U21s 0–6 Hull City U21s}}
(31 October 2022)
{{nowrap|Watford U21s 0–6 Colchester United U21s}}
(1 November 2022)
| highest scoring = {{nowrap| Swansea City U21s 10–1 Birmingham City U21s}}
(10 May 2023)
| matches = 283
| matches footnote =
(280 RS, 3 PO)
| total goals = 1001
| total goals footnote =
(987 RS, 14 PO)
| longest wins = 7 Matches Millwall U21s
Sheffield United U21s
| longest unbeaten = 13 Matches Sheffield United U21s
| longest losses = 8 Matches Watford U21s
| longest winless = 10 Matches Sheffield Wednesday U21s
| highest attendance = 2,076 Millwall U21s 2–1 Sheffield United U21s
(22 May 2023)
| lowest attendance =
| prevseason = 2021–22
| nextseason = 2023–24
}}
The Professional Development League is Under-21 football's second tier, designed for those academies with Category 2 status. The league is 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 28 games being played by both divisions. 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. Coventry City U21s are the defending champions.
20 Teams competed in the league this season, 3 more than the previous season. Burnley U21s and Birmingham City U21s returned to the league after failing to retain Category One Academy status after 2 seasons for Burnley U21s, and 1 season for Birmingham City U21s. Reading U21s joined after temporarily dropping to Category Two status after 10 seasons in the Premier League 2.{{cite web |title=CLARETS ACADEMY TO OPERATE AS CATEGORY TWO |url=https://www.burnleyfootballclub.com/content/clarets-academy-to-operate-as-category-two |website=Burnley FC |access-date=27 July 2022}}{{cite web |title=Blues to operate as Category 2 Academy |url=https://www.bcfc.com/news/all/blues-to-operate-as-category-2-academy |website=Birmingham City |access-date=27 July 2022}}{{cite web |title=OUR ACADEMY TO TAKE CATEGORY TWO STATUS IN 2022-23 |url=https://www.readingfc.co.uk/news/2022/july/21/our-academy-to-take-category-two-status-in-2022-23/ |website=Reading FC |date=21 July 2022 |access-date=27 July 2022}}
=Tables=
==North Division==
{{#invoke:sports table|main|style=WDL
|res_col_header=Q
|team10=SHW|name_SHW=Sheffield Wednesday U21s
|team2=HUL|name_HUL=Hull City U21s
|team6=PET|name_PET=Peterborough United U21s
|team8=CRE|name_CRE=Crewe Alexandra U21s
|team1=SHU|name_SHU=Sheffield United U21s
|team7=BAR|name_BAR=Barnsley U21s
|team9=BIR|name_BIR=Birmingham City U21s
|team5=BUR|name_BUR=Burnley U21s
|team3=WIG|name_WIG=Wigan Athletic U21s
|team4=COV|name_COV=Coventry City U21s
|win_SHW=5|draw_SHW=4|loss_SHW=19|gf_SHW=22|ga_SHW=55
|win_HUL=13|draw_HUL=3|loss_HUL=12|gf_HUL=60|ga_HUL=48
|win_PET=10|draw_PET=7|loss_PET=11|gf_PET=52|ga_PET=55
|win_BUR=11|draw_BUR=5|loss_BUR=12|gf_BUR=45|ga_BUR=57
|win_CRE=8|draw_CRE=7|loss_CRE=13|gf_CRE=35|ga_CRE=56
|win_SHU=18|draw_SHU=6|loss_SHU=4|gf_SHU=59|ga_SHU=30
|win_BIR=7|draw_BIR=8|loss_BIR=13|gf_BIR=38|ga_BIR=61
|win_NOT=12|draw_NOT=6|loss_NOT=7|gf_NOT=46|ga_NOT=30
|win_BAR=10|draw_BAR=6|loss_BAR=12|gf_BAR=41|ga_BAR=41
|win_COV=11|draw_COV=6|loss_COV=11|gf_COV=44|ga_COV=38
|win_WIG=13|draw_WIG=3|loss_WIG=12|gf_WIG=56|ga_WIG=44
|col_Q=#D0F0C0|text_Q=Qualification for Knock-out stage
|result1=Q|result2=Q
|update=complete|source=
}}
==South Division==
{{#invoke:sports table|main|style=WDL
|res_col_header=Q
|team8=CHA|name_CHA=Charlton Athletic U21s
|team1=MIL|name_MIL=Millwall U21s
|team4=CAR|name_CAR=Cardiff City U21s
|team2=BRI|name_BRI=Bristol City U21s
|team7=QPR|name_QPR=Queens Park Rangers U21s
|team6=IPS|name_IPS=Ipswich Town U21s
|team9=COL|name_COL=Colchester United U21s
|team10=WAT|name_WAT=Watford U21s
|team3=SWA|name_SWA=Swansea City U21s
|team5=REA|name_REA=Reading U21
|win_CHA=10|draw_CHA=7|loss_CHA=11|gf_CHA=56|ga_CHA=59
|win_MIL=18|draw_MIL=7|loss_MIL=3|gf_MIL=70|ga_MIL=32
|win_CAR=13|draw_CAR=3|loss_CAR=12|gf_CAR=47|ga_CAR=57
|win_BRI=16|draw_BRI=5|loss_BRI=7|gf_BRI=47|ga_BRI=26
|win_QPR=10|draw_QPR=8|loss_QPR=10|gf_QPR=54|ga_QPR=52
|win_IPS=11|draw_IPS=6|loss_IPS=11|gf_IPS=60|ga_IPS=61
|win_COL=7|draw_COL=7|loss_COL=14|gf_COL=46|ga_COL=63
|win_WAT=6|draw_WAT=3|loss_WAT=19|gf_WAT=31|ga_WAT=66
|win_SWA=16|draw_SWA=4|loss_SWA=8|gf_SWA=80|ga_SWA=46
|win_REA=12|draw_REA=5|loss_REA=11|gf_REA=44|ga_REA=40
|col_Q=#D0F0C0|text_Q=Qualification for Knock-out stage
|result1=Q|result2=Q
|update=complete|source=
}}
=Knock-out stage =
Semi-finals
{{football box
| date = 15 May 2023
| time = 12:00
| team1 = Sheffield United U21s
| score = 4–0
| attendance =
| report = http://youthhawk.co.uk/w/index.php/Sheffield_United_4-0_Bristol_City_(2022-23_Professional_Development_League_2)
| team2 = Bristol City U21s
| goals1 =
| goals2 =
| stadium =Brammall Lane, Sheffield
| referee=
}}
----
{{football box
| date = 15 May 2023
| time = 14:00
| team1 = Millwall U21s
| score = 4–3
| attendance =
| report = http://youthhawk.co.uk/w/index.php/Millwall_4-3_Hull_City_(2022-23_Professional_Development_League_2)
| team2 = Hull City U21s
| goals1 =
| goals2 =
| stadium = The Den, Bermondsey
| referee=
}}
Professional Development League National Final
{{football box
| date = 22 May 2023
| time = 19:00
| team1 = Millwall U21s
| score = 2–1
| aet = yes
| attendance = 2,076
| report = [https://www.millwallfc.co.uk/news/2023/may/22/report---millwall-under-21s-v-sheffield-united/ Report 1] [https://uk.news.yahoo.com/kevin-nugent-hails-millwall-under-065954084.html Report 2]
| team2 = Sheffield United U21s
| goals1 =
| goals2 =
- Peck {{goal|64}}
| stadium = The Den, Bermondsey
| referee= C Walchester
}}
See also
References
{{reflist}}
{{2022–23 in English men's football}}
{{Professional Development League}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Professional U23 Development League 2022-23}}