Chelsea F.C. Reserves and Academy

Chelsea F.C. Reserves And Academy

Chelsea F.C. Reserves are the reserve team of Chelsea Football Club. They are members of the Premier Reserve League Southern Division and the reigning champions of the Southern Division winning the Championship in 2010 - 11. The team mainly consists of Under-21 players at the club, although senior players occasionally play in the reserve side, for instance when they are recovering from injury. The reserves team is coached by Dermot Drummy. Chelsea F.C. Academy are the youth team of Chelsea Football Club. It is a member of the Premier Academy League. They have won the FA Youth Cup in 1960, 1961, 2010, 2012 and ended being runners-up in 1958, 2008. The youth team is coached by Adrian Viveash. The academy is regarded as one of the best in English football and has produced many great players such as the brothers Ron and Allan Harris, Peter Bonetti, Bobby Tambling, Barry Bridges, Bert Murray, John Hollins, Peter Osgood, Ray Wilkins, Graeme Le Saux, Bobby Smith, Terry Venables, Jimmy Greaves and John Terry among many others.

Neil Bath is the current academy manager who is responsible for the day to day operation of the academy along with Michael Emenalo who is the current Technical Director, having been promoted from Assistant First Team Coach, and largely responsible for exploring and recruiting new young players around the world.

From 2007-2010 the Reserve team played their home games at Brentford's Griffin Park Stadium. Currently they play their home games at the club's training ground at Cobham and temporarily use the clubs's home ground Stamford Bridge for the big matches. Starting from the 2011-2012 season, the reserves will move back to Griffin Park for the majority of their matches. The Academy Team also play their home games at the club's training ground.