MORECAMBE FC's position as the premier non-league club in the north west was enhanced this week with the announcement that the club is to host a revolutionary pilot scheme for footballing wannabees. Bosses at Christie Park are delighted with the news which means the Shrimps get first sight of the best local talent in the region. The FA offered the Shrimps the chance to take on youngsters to form a Morecambe team which will compete in the B division of the Lancashire League but it won't be all fun and games for the youngsters as they'll have to work as hard in the classroom as they do on the pitch! At the beginning of June 16-19 year olds with county experience will get a chance to attend trials for the scheme as will those who have been placed at professional clubs or attended centres of excellence. In the classroom the youngsters will study towards a diploma in sports studies - on the pitch Shrimps boss Jim Harvey will put then through their paces for a gruelling 15 hours every week. At the club's presentation night Jim Harvey was enthusiastic about the launch of the scheme.

"The fact that the FA offered this scheme to us first shows how far we have come in a few years. This would have been unthinkable just a couple of seasons ago. The scheme is like a safety net for those boys who didn't quite make it or who have been rejected by other club. We will give them another chance with their football and they can get educated as well," said Mr Harvey. The only fly in the ointment is that the course is based in Manchester as it is being run in conjunction with Manchester Metropolitan University but Mr Harvey explained that various grants and financial help may be available in certain cases. The club is looking to recruit about 18 boys in the first year - they will be retained and added to by the same number in the second year so that the talent can develop and work its way through to senior level. For further details contact the club.

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