From 2004-05 the League instigated a play-off between the champions of the two sections. In that first season Northern Champions Manchester United Reserves beat Southern Champions
Charlton Athletic Reserves 4–2 at
The Valley. In the 2005–06 play-off, held at
Old Trafford, Manchester United Reserves beat Tottenham Hotspur Reserves 2–0. The 2007 final, held at the
Madejski Stadium, Reading beat Bolton 2–0. Liverpool Reserves beat Aston Villa Reserves 3–0 in the 2008 final at
Anfield. Aston Villa reached the final again next season and beat Sunderland 3–1 at
Villa Park. In the 2009–10 play-off match, held again at
Old Trafford, Manchester United beat Aston Villa 3–2 in a penalty shoot-out after the game ended 3–3. In the
2010–11 playoff match,
Chelsea defeated Blackburn 5–4 in a penalty shoot-out, after the game ended 1–1 at
Stamford Bridge. In the 2011–12 season finale held at
Old Trafford,
Manchester United Reserves beat
Aston Villa Reserves 3–1 on penalties after the game ended 0–0 in normal time.
Most successful clubs ==See also==