The events in the senior leagues during the 2008–09 season saw Middlesbrough, Newcastle United and West Bromwich Albion all relegated and replaced by the promoted teams Burnley, Wolverhampton Wanderers, and Birmingham City.

[2] On 12 April 2010, in a behind closed doors fixture at their Bodymoor Heath training ground, Aston Villa beat Fulham 2-1 with goals from Barry Bannan and Ciaran Clark to book their place in the playoff final with 2 league games to spare.

This was their 4th defeat in a row[6] and it handed the Premier Reserve League North title to Manchester United.

[7] The playoff final went to a penalty shoot out where Manchester United beat Aston Villa 3-2.

Goalkeeper, Ben Foster scoring the decisive penalty kick.