This team is used to give younger professional players and first team players returning from injury the chance to play and keep or improve match fitness, or for trialists at the club to impress in a match environment.
Players are able to freely move between the first team, XI or academy (depending on age and contract status).
In the 2012-13 season the Academy won the Football League Youth Alliance South East Conference.
Currently, Alex Bass and Haji Mnoga are notable academy graduates in the first team squad.
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply.