2011–12 Premier Reserve League
The 2011–12 Premier Reserve League (officially known as the 2011–12 Barclays Premier Reserve League for sponsorship reasons) was the thirteenth season since the establishment of the Premier Reserve League.
| Season | 2011–12 |
|---|---|
| Champions | Manchester United Reserves |
| Goals scored | 562 |
| Average goals/game | 3.18 |
| Top goalscorer | Will Keane (15) Marcello Trotta (15) |
| Biggest home win | Fulham Reserves 7–0 Bolton Wanderers Reserves (30 August 2011) |
| Biggest away win | Norwich City 0–5 Arsenal (21 February 2012) |
| Highest scoring | Sunderland 6–3 Manchester United (8 December 2011) Everton 6–3 Newcastle United (14 February 2012) Newcastle United 3–6 Manchester United (16 April 2012) |
| Longest winning run | 6 games – West Bromwich Albion (6 September 2011 – 1 November 2011) Aston Villa (17 January 2012 – 12 March 2012) |
| Longest unbeaten run | 9 games – Everton (22 November 2011 – 22 March 2012) Liverpool (7 February 2012 – 19 April 2012) |
| Longest losing run | 5 games – Newcastle United (20 March 2012 – 16 April 2012) |
← 2010–11 2012–13 → | |
The events in the senior leagues during the 2010–11 season saw Blackpool and West Ham United relegated and replaced by the promoted sides Norwich City & Swansea City. While Birmingham City were relegated from the Premier League and Queens Park Rangers were promoted to the Premier League, neither side decided to participate in the reserve league.
The geographical split of the 16 participating teams meant it was possible to drop the overcomplicated 2010–11 structure and revert to a simpler North & South structure. The Northern league now consists of Blackburn Rovers, Bolton Wanderers, Everton, Liverpool, Manchester United, Newcastle United, Sunderland and Wigan Athletic. Manchester City chose not to participate this season. The Southern League consists of Arsenal, Aston Villa, Chelsea, Fulham (who have chosen to participate this season), Norwich City, Swansea City, West Bromwich Albion & Wolverhampton Wanderers
Each team played the teams in their own league home and away. They also played each team in the other league once (home and away games split evenly). This resulted in 22 league games (14 + 8).
At the conclusion of the league season, the two league winners played the final in the home ground of the Northern league winner. The venue alternates between North & South each year. Last year it was held at Stamford Bridge, the home of eventual champions Chelsea.
On 10 May 2012, Manchester United Reserves won the Play-off Final.