06/05/2026
Brentford FC have achieved ‘Category One’ academy status, the highest level under the Elite Player Performance Plan.
Under this plan, academies in English football are classified into four categories based on the quality of provision and the effectiveness of player development pathways. Category One represents the highest standard, requiring substantial financial investment, elite training facilities, and highly qualified coaching staff, while offering access to top youth competitions, enhanced funding, and greater opportunities to recruit and develop elite young talent.
Across the English football pyramid, 30 clubs now operate Category One academies, including 19 in the Premier League, 10 in the Championship and one in League One. AFC Bournemouth is the only current Premier League club without Category One status.
Brentford’s achievement is particularly noteworthy given their recent strategic shift. The club closed their academy in 2016 to reduce costs and focus on a more selective development model, before reopening it in 2022.
Attaining Category One status within four years highlights the club’s accelerated investment and ex*****on in youth development. It also underlines a broader point. Even in one of the most competitive development environments globally, it is possible to build a high-performance academy structure within a relatively short timeframe with a clear strategy and sustained commitment.