A NEW football academy is being launched at a village club.

Little Oakley Football Club has announced it will be working in partnership with AFC Sudbury Academy to run the new Acorns Academy for 16 to 19-year-olds.

An information evening and trial match is set to be held on November 20 at Little Oakley Football Club’s memorial ground in Harwich Road.

Michael Good, Little Oakley FC chairman, said: “We are very excited to be entering into a partnership with AFC Sudbury Academy to launch the Acorns Academy.

“By using their very successful model, expertise and experience, we will look to offer a top quality educational facility which will also allow us to continue strengthening the football club as part of our long term plans.”

The course will be four days a week from 10am to 4pm and will include full-time football training from experience fully qualified coaches. In addition, there will be a competitive games programme under the banner of Little Oakley FC.

Mr Good said the academy will develop the scholars as footballers, as well as offering the educational qualification.

“We aren’t just looking in Harwich and Dovercourt but in Clacton and Colchester as well.

“We are looking for the best young footballers to come to our academy. AFC Sudbury Academy are leading the way in Suffolk and we will be aiming to match their success in our part of Essex.

“At the end of the course they can go to university using their qualification and we are also hoping that there is going to be a post-18 course at AFC Sudbury Academy that they will be eligible for.”

The youngsters, known as football scholars, will also be able to go into employment in the sports industry after gaining Btec, NVQ and 1st4Sport academic qualifications from the course.

Mark Morsley, AFC first team manager, said: “

I’m proud to have played a small part in its initiation.”

To register your interest complete the online form at little oakleyfc.co.uk or call Michael Good on 07584 254957.