A JUNIOR football club has become the first from England to team up with an international scheme to help young players achieve their potential.

Celtic Football Academy has added Thirsk Falcons Juniors FC to its International Club Partnership Programme, featuring 52 clubs from across 20 countries.

The long-term partnership will involve the sharing of club methodologies, coach education, coaching camps and it will also offer Thirsk players with a chance to visit Glasgow to experience what life is like for an Academy player at Celtic Football Club.

Coaches at the North Yorkshire club, which has a membership of over 250 players ,will also be invited to Celtic Football Club to attend the renowned annual International Coaches Convention and receive a behind the scenes look at how Celtic develop young players to fulfil their potential.

The Thirsk club's dedication to developing grass roots football in the area was a major factor in the Celtic Soccer Academy choosing them as their newest partner club.

Thirsk Falcons' chairman Wayne Sowden said: “This international partnership offers Thirsk Falcons the chance to further enhance our club’s ever-growing profile not only in the UK but across the world.

“All our coaches take a real pride in coaching junior football and the Celtic International Soccer Partnership will help Thirsk Falcons continue to develop young footballers to be the very best they can be, at whatever level of football they are at."