Newcastle United's academy side will compete in a revamped edition of Premier League 2 next season with the introduction of a 'Swiss model'. The young Magpies finished eighth in Division 2 following a disappointing campaign, which saw Ben Dawson appointed as Elliot Dickman's replacement in January.
However, the two-tier system which included promotion and relegation has now been scrapped in favour of all 25 'Category One' academies competing in a single league. Clubs will be seeded in five pots based on their respective performances over the past three seasons, with results from the 20-match campaign contributing to a combined table to determine play-off positions.
The top 16 teams will go on to qualify for a single elimination knockout competition. The 'Swiss model' means Newcastle will not play all 24 of their rivals, with United set to play every team in their own pot plus four or five clubs from all other pots, either home or away.
