Blues Academy announce youth team plans

The side will play in the FA Youth Cup, plus Conference Youth Alliance League and an U21 league along with other cup competitions.

Meanwhile the youngsters will receive schooling too, with TDS Education on board to help the squad with a Btec L3 Sport Diploma.

Coach Ben Herd, who has over 350 professional games to his name, will lead the sessions with Sean Faulkner.

Herd said: “We’re looking for school leavers who want to stay in full time education.

“What we’re after are players who have perhaps slipped through the net, have been released from league clubs and we can offer them a route into non-league football combined with education.

“We’ll train them three to four times a week, play in a Conference Youth Alliance, enter the FA Youth Cup.

“They’re going to need a career to go with football and it has to be earned though, it won’t just be given to them.

“We have all the exit routes covered, with the chance of scholarships in America as possibility too.

“We’re trying to make it as elite as we can.”

The trial dates for school leavers, starting next year, are Tuesday, February 17, 11-1pm; Wednesday, February 18, 11-1pm; Wednesday, April 2, 11-1pm; Thursday, April 3, 11-1pm; Friday, May 29, 11-1pm.

For more information about joining, contact 07732 888361 or email [email protected].

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