Reading Academy has been demoted to Category Two for the first time since the EPPP regulations came in a decade ago.

This means Noel Hunt’s side will not be playing the PL2 Division Two, a league they finished bottom of last season.

Reading Chronicle:

Six of the nine teams are in the Championship, with only Ipswich Town, Colchester United and Charlton Athletic outside the second tier.

Watford, Swansea City, QPR, Millwall, Cardiff City and Bristol City make up the remainder of the southern section of the Professional Development League.

READ MORE: Reading FC Academy downgraded to Category Two

If the Royals can finish in the top two of their area, they will have the chance to play to play for the overall title against teams in the northern section.

This area consists of: Barnsley, Birmingham City, Burnley, Coventry City, Crewe Alexandra, Hull City, Peterborough United, Sheffield United, Sheffield Wednesday and Wigan Athletic.

Burnley and Birmingham City had their status’ demoted alongside Reading, while the Sky Blues are the reigning champions after beating Bristol City after extra time.

Speaking on the decision of dropping down to Category Two, the club explain that they plan to reapply for Category One next season.

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The statement reads: "Owner, Mr Dai, has committed to running our Academy operation to the very highest standard throughout the course of 2022-23 and, as a result, the education, welfare and coaching standards will not be affected.

"The club’s high expectations of its Academy system will also not wane. We remain exceptionally proud of what our Academy has achieved in the past, what it will achieve this season and what it will achieve in the future. We will be reapplying for Category One status this year."