Accrington announce closure of their Category Three Academy
Written by
Simon Austin
May 7, 2025
Accrington Stanley have announced the immediate closure of their Category Three Academy because of “significant financial challenges”.
Academy staff, parents and players were informed of the decision yesterday evening (May 6th), with the club then putting a short statement on their website. TGG has been told the news came as a shock to most, with the club having recently talked about developing the best Category Three Academy in the country.
They said: “This decision has not been made lightly but is a necessary step given the significant financial challenges the club is currently facing.
“In addition to the restrictions on the use of club facilities and the reduced ability to generate revenue, the imposition of significant tax increases on jobs has substantially raised costs for what is already a loss-making business.
“This has been a major factor in the decisions we have had to make, as we work to protect the long-term future of the club. We understand the profound impact this will have on our young players, their families, and the wider community, and we are deeply sorry for the disappointment and disruption this decision will cause.
“However, if the club is to survive and continue as a vital part of our community, these difficult yet necessary actions must be taken.”
In March, Accrington were forced to close their hospitality suite after losing their entertainment licence following complaints from nearby residents.
Owner Andy Holt has agreed to continue funding the club up to £250,000 a year, despite saying he would step down after Saturday’s end-of-season game against Chesterfield.
Increases in the minimum wage and employer National Insurance contributions have raised the costs for clubs in terms of both staff and scholars. Clubs are yet to receive confirmation from the Premier League about funding of Academies for next season, which has increased uncertainty.
Accrington had previously spoken about the importance of their Academy, saying the vision was to have the best Category Three Academy in the country.
In September 2024, Academy Manager Duncan Fearnhead left after 12-and-a-half years to take the same role at Southampton.
He said: “With support from other staff, we set our Academy Vision to be the best Category Three Academy in the EFL, and I truly believe we’ve made massive strides towards that, making incredible progress over the last three years in particular.”
The current Academy Manager is Chris Hough, who was promoted from Head of Academy Operations when Fearnhead left.
Accrington placed 74th out of 86 clubs in the latest edition of TGG’s Academy Productivity Rankings.
Follow Us
For latest updates, follow us on X at @ground_guru
