Nottingham Forest Under-23s head coach Andy Reid says he is "over the moon" with his team's first campaign as a category one youth set-up.
It has been a memorable season across all levels of Nottingham Forest. The first team are in the middle of a Championship play-off campaign, the under-23s finished fourth in the league standings, the under-18s were beaten by Manchester United in the FA Youth Cup final and the Women's side won the County Cup and FAWNL Plate.
Forest received category one status for their academy last May, allowing their under-23 and under-18 sides to feature in the more competitive Premier League 2 divisions for their respective age groups. Reid's under-23s side may have been beaten 2-0 in the play-off semi-final of PL2 Division 2, but the former Forest midfielder spoke proudly of his side's debut campaign at the higher level.
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"I'm over the moon [with how we've done]," he said. "There are a few different things that go into that and a few reasons why I'm so proud.
"The desire and courage to play on the front foot and to work hard - which are things that have to be a given if you want to make the first team - was shown every game and in every training session by the boys.
"Some of the quality we have shown at times this season has also been absolutely phenomenal. You think back to some of the performances we have had and goals we have scored. There have been a lot of top-level, elite performances which have put a smile on the faces of my staff and I.
"It's been an enjoyable season. It's been a season where you come into it not knowing the challenge and quality but wanting to try and match it. Can we match the desire, the quality and physicality? More often than not I think we have done so.
"To finish fourth with the calibre of clubs in this division is something we should be really proud of."
