Selected players who came through Sunderland youth system. "1966 onwards" Previously called Sunderland 'A', Sunderland II, Sunderland Reserves and Sunderland U21s, the Sunderland U23 team is the second team of Sunderland A.F.C. and the most senior team in the club's academy system. U23 matchday squads may include up to three players over the age of 23; this may include players from the senior team in need of game time. Sunderland U23s play in Division 2 of the Premier League 2 following relegation from Division 1 in the 2017–18 season. They represent Sunderland in the Durham Challenge Cup, a competition that the club (originally as the senior team, but from 1894-onwards as the reserve team) have won a record 21 times. They also take part in the Premier League Cup. Sunderland U21s (effectively the U23 team) also took part in two seasons of the EFL Trophy against senior professional teams from the bottom two divisions of the English Football League. In the 2016–17 competition, Sunderland qualified from their group after victories over Hartlepool United and Notts County but were beaten in the first knockout stage by the academy of Wolves. In the 2017–18 competition, Sunderland failed to qualify from their group. They were unable to take part in the 2018–19 competition as the senior team were competing in the competition for the first time after relegation to EFL League One. Post EPPP:   Previously called Sunderland Youths, Sunderland U17s and Sunderland U19s, the Sunderland U18s team is the third team of Sunderland A.F.C. and the club's senior youth team. Dating back to the 1950s, the team consists of players beyond school-age on youth contracts. Youth players can be promoted into the U23 or senior teams, but due to EPPP rules, will still remain on youth contracts. Sunderland U18s play in the Category 1 North section of U18 Premier League. They also compete in the FA Youth Cup, a competition Sunderland have won twice. They play their home games at the Academy of Light.