MID Cheshire College and the board of directors at Chester FC have agreed to form a ‘scholars academy partnership’.

The partnership will allow Chester FC to continue to foster players aged 16 to 20 as they enrol on a two-year course with Mid Cheshire College, while progressing their football skills and development.

The course will be run by the club at a local training facility and Mid Cheshire College’s new £7.5 million Centre for Creative Arts and Sports.

It will provide education for young footballers culminating in a BTEC qualification in Level 3 BTEC Extended Diploma in Sport (Performance and Excellence) from Mid Cheshire College.

The course is theory-based, with practical elements in a variety of areas. Students will be given the opportunity to enhance their knowledge of factors affecting performance levels in sport, while combining their studies with the college’s Football Development Programme.

The partnership will be self-funding, subject to the results the students attain in their educational pursuits.

College principal, Richard Hollywood, said: “This new partnership will allow these exceptional athletes to gain a greater understanding of their ability, which will help push themselves even further in their sporting careers.

"We are extremely excited to be working with Chester FC and to welcome these potential football stars of the future to Mid Cheshire College.”