TALENTED young footballers hoping for a career in the game are being offered the chance to sign up for a new course.

A two-year course specialising in football coaching and elite sports skills is to get underway in September at Framwellgate School, in Durham City aimed at sixth form students.

The school has joined forces with the Martin Gray Football Academy, set up by the former Sunderland and Darlington midfielder, to offer the enhanced BTec Level Three Extended Diploma.

A similar course held at Newton Aycliffe led to four students being selected for the first team at Northern League side Darlington, including 16-year-old Connor Lowe who became the youngest player to score a competitive goal in the club’s history.

To be eligible for the course, youngsters need to have achieved five GSCEs at Grade A*-C, including maths and English, or have a BTEC First Diploma in Sport (Exercise and Fitness) at Merit level.

Due to expected high demand, trials will take place at Meadowfield Sports Centre, Durham, between 10am and noon on Saturday, May 25.

Martin Gray said: "The course is focused on elite young footballers and their development as players will only improve whilst, just as importantly, they will receive education that will provide them with an insight into a whole range of employment sectors within sport generally.

"They will be learning about areas such as the physiology, fitness, sports nutrition and sports psychology, all of which could lead to careers in professional sport".

Alisdair Nicholas, Head of Framwellgate School, added: "Becoming a professional footballer is very difficult and whilst it would be fantastic to see young people from Framwellgate School go on to play at that level, it will be just as rewarding for us to see them use their learning to open other doors".

Anyone wishing to attend the trials should contact Martin Gray in advance on 07738 131914.