Cardiff City have won a championship. The young Bluebirds lifted the Professional Development League Under-18 Southern title, having led the table for most of this season.
They have qualified for the play-offs and will face Leeds United at home in the semi-finals. That one-off tie is to be played at Cardiff City Stadium this Saturday (11am).
Sheffield Wednesday finished top off the Northern table after drawing 1-1 against Sheffield United, moving level with Leeds and winning the title on goal difference.
Leeds travel to Cardiff City, while Ipswich Town are away against Sheffield Wednesday in the last four.
A truly remarkable season for our U18 side.
PDL2 South Champions 2018/19! 💙#CityAsOne pic.twitter.com/l26UoM9DjV
— Cardiff City Academy (@CF11Academy) April 19, 2019
Bluebirds chief executive Ken Choo, said: “This is a fantastic achievement for our club and Academy. I am really proud of our young players and congratulate them wholeheartedly.
“I’d also like to praise the Academy staff and coaches who have worked tirelessly with this talented group of youngsters to help them achieve their potential.
“I wish everybody the best of luck for the play-offs and look forward to watching this group’s continued development in the coming years.”
James McCarthy, Cardiff’s Academy Manager, said: “The success of our under-18 side is a fantastic achievement for all the players and staff involved. It is important to also mention the under-16 players who have played in a number of games in the higher age group since Christmas.
“It is fitting that this group of players has been able to win the league for the first time.
“They have performed with great quality and consistency all season and hopefully will take that form into the play-offs against Leeds United.”
City were crowned South champions following Ipswich Town’s 1-1 draw against Crystal Palace.
The young Bluebirds went into their last league game of the season against Burnley, knowing that realistically, only a win would be enough to keep their hopes of winning the PDL2 South alive.
Instead of being affected by the pressure, City produced a sublime performance at University of South Wales Sports Park and won 5-1.
Despite going behind to an early goal from Burnley’s Mitch George, goals from Sam Bowen, Connor Davies and Kieron Evans meant that the hosts went into the break with a 3-1 lead.
Under-18 top goalscorer Dan Griffiths fired his 27th of the season to make it four before an own goal 19 minutes from time ensured the Bluebirds moved up to first in the table.
Ipswich were unable to win either of their final two fixtures and Cardiff City were crowned champions of the PDL South having been league leaders for the majority of the campaign following a number of outstanding performances.
Cardiff City u-18 team (v Burnley): George Ratcliffe, Connor Davies (Ryan Kavanagh 78), Taylor Jones, Ben Margetson, Parsons, Keenan Patten, Harry Pinchard, Ntazana Mayembe, Sam Bowen, capt (Siyabonga Ligendza 66), Kieron Evans, Dan Griffiths (Sion Spence 66). Sub not used: Rubin Colwill.
U18 Professional Development League North Table
| Pos | Teams | MP | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | PTS |
| 1 | Sheffield Wednesday U18 | 28 | 17 | 8 | 3 | 69 | 22 | +47 | 59 |
| 2 | Leeds United U18 | 28 | 19 | 2 | 7 | 66 | 37 | +29 | 59 |
| 3 | Nottingham Forest U18 | 28 | 15 | 5 | 8 | 59 | 33 | +26 | 50 |
| 4 | Sheffield United U18 | 28 | 14 | 8 | 6 | 48 | 38 | +10 | 50 |
| 5 | Burnley U18 | 28 | 15 | 4 | 9 | 64 | 54 | +10 | 49 |
| 6 | Barnsley U18 | 28 | 12 | 5 | 11 | 47 | 45 | +2 | 41 |
| 7 | Birmingham City U18 | 28 | 12 | 3 | 13 | 55 | 57 | -2 | 39 |
| 8 | Hull City U18 | 28 | 8 | 5 | 15 | 44 | 51 | -7 | 29 |
| 9 | Bolton Wanderers U18 | 27 | 7 | 5 | 15 | 49 | 69 | -20 | 26 |
| 10 | Crewe Alexandra U18 | 28 | 7 | 5 | 16 | 43 | 77 | -34 | 26 |
U18 Professional Development League South Table
| Pos | Teams | MP | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | PTS |
| 1 | Cardiff City U18 | 28 | 17 | 3 | 8 | 61 | 31 | +30 | 54 |
| 2 | Ipswich Town U18 | 28 | 17 | 2 | 9 | 68 | 52 | +16 | 53 |
| 3 | Millwall U18 | 28 | 13 | 6 | 9 | 62 | 40 | +22 | 45 |
| 4 | Queens Park Rangers U18 | 28 | 13 | 3 | 12 | 53 | 51 | +2 | 42 |
| 5 | Crystal Palace U18 | 27 | 11 | 5 | 11 | 51 | 52 | -1 | 38 |
| 6 | Charlton Athletic U18 | 28 | 10 | 5 | 13 | 46 | 46 | +0 | 35 |
| 7 | Bristol City U18 | 27 | 10 | 2 | 15 | 39 | 50 | -11 | 32 |
| 8 | Watford U18 | 28 | 8 | 7 | 13 | 50 | 63 | -13 | 31 |
| 9 | Coventry City U18 | 27 | 5 | 6 | 16 | 31 | 69 | -38 | 21 |
| 10 | Colchester United U18 | 28 | 1 | 5 | 22 | 34 | 102 | -68 | 8 |