Youngster Alfie Maughan has won the award for the West Bromwich Albion Men’s 2025/26 Academy Player of the Season, sponsored by Marc Darcy.
Still just 17-years-old, the full-back has maintained positive momentum in the club’s PL2 team this term - with most of his 40 appearances coming at the age level above.
Proving himself against international talent such as Juventus, Borussia Mönchengladbach and FC Nordsjælland in the Premier League International Cup, as well as senior pros in the National League Cup, Alfie has impressed across all age groups.
Having finished the 2024/25 campaign with an admirable 14 assists to his name, the right-sided defender - who can play on both flanks - has surpassed those figures this time around with an astonishing 20 contributions, as well as two goals, across U18 and U21 competitions.
Academy Manager, Richard Stevens, praised the promising U18s skipper - who’s been at the club since he was six - for his level of “consistency” and after seeing Maughan tick off every step in academy football at such an early age, hopes a coveted step into senior football is next on the hopeful's agenda.
“Alfie has had an outstanding season,” said Stevens.
“He’s played across the under-18s and the 21s, but it doesn't matter which team he plays in as he always does things the right way and represents himself, and his age group, correctly.
“The levels of performance he's found this year playing at right-back and left-back, playing off both feet in both positions, made this a great opportunity for us as a staff to recognise his level of consistency, performance, and to celebrate the number of years he's been at the club.
“He's been here since he was six, and by the age of 17, he's played at every level up to the U21 level - which he's fully deserved.
“There were a number of other lads in the frame for this award, but I think Alfie's consistency and numbers have tipped him toward being the worthiest receiver of the award this year.
“He's Albion through and through, loves the club, and lives and breathes all aspects of it.
“Alfie's going to wear his badge with pride, keep developing himself, and let's hope one day he can tick off the next step.”
