October 15, 2019 12.23 pm This story is over 62 months old

Lincoln City opens up academy to more local youngsters

The club has launched a shadow scholarship
Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

Lincoln City FC is hoping to get more youngsters into football after launching a new scholarship scheme.

The League One club launched the ‘Shadow Scholarship’ at Riseholme College, where students can take part in studies after completing their GCSEs.

At the moment, there are 22 students in the squad, who all train on a weekly basis and have weekly fixtures.

Those that cannot make it into the squad learn other aspects of the game, like sports science, medical, analysis, and recruitment.

Lincoln City moved the club’s youth academy to Riseholme College’s state-of-the-art sports facilities last year, but the squad has now been expanded.

Danny Metters, the assistant principal at Riseholme College, said: “This innovative partnership with Lincoln City is giving our students a real, genuine opportunity to have a career in football.

“Whilst helping them to achieve their potential as footballers, we are making sure they are equipped with the skills and knowledge they will need to work in the industry in another capacity as well.”

Jez George, the head of football at Lincoln City, added: “The odds of becoming a professional footballer are so slim.

“The competition for scholarship places at Lincoln City is also so intense that we have a responsibility to ensure there are opportunities for all our talented young footballers.

“We care about every single one of them, not just the very few.”