Youth development is hugely important to the Premier League.

Since the League's inception in 1992, the youth programme has expanded beyond all recognition.

At that time clubs had access to boys only from the age of 14 for just one to two hours per week.

Now there are 40 Academies, 17 of them in the Premier League with exceptions Burnley, Hull City and Wigan Athletic operating Centres of Excellence.

A further 23 Football League clubs operate Academies with the Premier League providing £5.4m each year to support Football League Youth Development schemes.

The Academy Licences, which last for five years and exceed UEFA requirements, are only awarded to Club schemes that meet very high standards especially in terms of staff and facilities.

Clubs now work with youngsters aged from nine upwards. Clubs can register a maximum of 30 students per age group from Under 9 to under 14 and 20 per age group at under 15 and Under 16 levels.

From Under 17 to Under 21 levels they can register a maximum of 15 scholars per age group.

There are more than 3,000 students and 300 scholars signed up and with more than 2,500 registered players taking part in 1,000 matches per season, it is a massive operation.

Eight full-time staff are employed by the Premier League to manage the programme and they ensure each club is visited at least six times a year, with an annual report produced on each.

The ever-expanding youth programme is well funded with more than £500m already spent on training facilities since 1998.

Clubs spend more than £30m per year and facilities must include:
Full size grass and artificial pitches (outdoor & indoor)
Intermediate and mini-size pitches
Fully equipped changing facilities,
Homework and study area including computer facilities
Canteen, gymnasium and medical centre
Parents' Lounge

Each Academy must have qualified specialist staff including;
Minimum 2 full time UEFA 'A' qualified coaches and specialist goalkeeping coach (All must be UEFA 'B' minimum with additional age-specific coaching qualifications)
Full-time chartered physiotherapist
Full-time teacher
Doctor
Safeguarding officer

In addition to the above strict requirements, most clubs employ a recruitment officer, fitness coaches, nutritionists, sports science specialists.
Safeguarding of children is of paramount importance and each club must have a written policy and procedures for this policy which is endorsed by government bodies.

Each club must have a Children's Services Officer whose responsibilities include:
Overall responsibility for safeguarding children.
Liaison with government bodies.
Promote awareness.
Provide instructions, guidance and support to club staff.
Criminal Record Bureau checks.

The aim is to help clubs develop the next generation of young players who possess the technical ability and aptitude to become regular performers in the Premier League in order to enhance the overall standard of the competition as well as the England team.