A NEW project which hopes to develop the football stars of the future while inspiring their academic studies has been started in two Darlington schools.

Former Quakers player and assistant manager Martin Gray is working with Longfield Academy of Sport and Darlington School of Maths and Science, formerly Branksome School, in the town to set up the new academy.

The academy is similar to USA-style Soccer scholarships and encompasses the National Curriculum, GCSE courses and sporting talent Around 50 boys and girls from the two schools will spend two hours each week with the Martin Gray Football Academy’s education team before spending another two hours with Mr Gray and his coaching team, developing skills and techniques for the professional game.

The academic studies will be part of the normal curriculum and a similar programme is already proving successful at Greenfield School in Newton Aycliffe, County Durham.

Longfield head teacher Susan Johnson said: “The primary aim is to encourage pupils from both schools to work together and support pupils in school who have ambitions of becoming a professional footballer.

“Of course, it’s important that normal academic studies aren’t affected, which is why the new academy enhances the normal curriculum with an education enrichment programme, benefitting all pupils in the academy structure.

DSMS head Calvin Kipling added: “Through this exciting initiative, our aim is to improve the standard of coaching at the schools and in-turn improve our players and teams while ensuring pupils continue to receive excellent academic education at the same time.”

Mr Gray said: “After successfully launching this model in other schools in the North-East, this is an exciting new project for us in Darlington and I really believe the schools will benefit hugely from it.”