The Football League Youth Alliance was formed in Season 98/99 following the creation of the Academy structure. The Competition comprises of the Under 18 sides made up of scholarship players and young professionals of Centres of Excellence clubs from the Premier League, Football League and Football Conference.

There are currently 49 clubs participating split into four Regional Conferences. The competition enjoys a high standing within The FA's order of precedence for match officials and receive the same status as Blue Square Conference North and South fixtures.

The league season is complemented by a keenly contested Cup competition. This is played on a north/south basis with the respective winners of each section meeting in the Final at a Football League stadium.

The Alliance receives coverage on the FL website and a weekly Newsletter is distributed to all clubs, local media and other interested parties. Clubs also cover their own progress on their respective websites and many have significant coverage in their matchday programme and magazines.

REGIONAL CONFERENCES - SEASON 2012/13

North West Conference
Accrington Stanley
Blackpool
Burnley
Bury
Carlisle United
Fleetwood Town 
Macclesfield Town
Morecambe
Port Vale
Preston North End
Rochdale
Shrewsbury Town
Tranmere Rovers
Walsall 
Wrexham

North East Conference
Bradford City
Burton Albion
Chesterfield
Doncaster Rovers
Grimsby Town
Hartlepool United
Hull City
Lincoln City
Notts County
Rotherham United
Scunthorpe United
York City

South East Conference 
AFC Bournemouth
AFC Wimbledon 
Aldershot Town
Crawley Town
Dagenham & Redbridge
Gillingham
Leyton Orient
Luton Town
Milton Keynes Dons
Northampton Town
Peterborough United
Portsmouth
Southend United 
Stevenage

South West Conference
Bristol Rovers
Exeter City
Hereford United
Oxford United
Plymouth Argyle
Swindon Town
Torquay United
Yeovil Town

Fixtures, results and tables for the Youth Alliance are published in a dedicated weekly newsletter.