A PREMIER League football club has teamed up with a Northern League side to give talented players options for the future.

Sunderland AFC’S charity the Foundation of Light launched its scholarship programme at Shildon AFC yesterday, although many of the players have been training over the summer.

The two-year level three BTEC extended diploma in sport performance in excellence combines academic studies with high level football coaching.

It gives 16 to 19-year-olds the opportunity to represent Sunderland in the National U19s Football Youth Development League and play against teams such as Liverpool and Crystal Palace and at the National Football Centre, at St George’s Park, in Burton-Upon-Trent.

Coaches welcomed 23 teenagers to Dean Bank for their first training session. The full-time programme includes daily training and education classes, as well as weekly national fixtures on a Wednesday.

Shildon AFC chairman David Dent is backing the programme, with the Shildon-based squad using the club’s facilities for training, education and playing matches.

“There are a number of potential pathways,” he said.

“In terms of football we have lots of links with clubs so we can open up doors for them.

“Even in the Northern League some of them play for our U18s on a Saturday.

“In terms of education they are studying for a BTEC so this will give them the option of going to university or even going to America.”

Jamie Wright, managing director of the Foundation of Light, said: “We have always been keen to have strong exit routes for the players. If they haven’t already spotted or are in an academy then it is unlikely they will be.

“However, we are always on the lookout for the next Jamie Vardy.

“When we have links with clubs like Shildon, it means players have realistic chance of staying in the game.”

He added: “The foundation has been developing community links in Shildon for the last three or four years. It is about raising aspirations for young people.

“Obviously we want them to stay in football but we want to give them opportunities that they might not get otherwise.

“This is the first course but we plan to grow it year-on-year and hopefully start a girls course as well.”

The programme is funded by South Tyneside College with support from Shildon AFC and Monkwearmouth Academy, in Sunderland.