A COLLEGE and football club are working together to dispel the myth that footballers are all brawn and no brains.

Eight players who belong to Middlesbrough Football Club's Academy received BTEC National Certificates in Sports Science at Middlesbrough College, yesterday.

The group has been going to the college on a day-release basis for the past two years to study for the qualification, which covers subjects such as anatomy, physiology and biomechanics.

Now the students are going on to study the National Diploma, a higher award, next year, along with an NVQ in sports coaching.

Paul Urwin, vice-principal of Middlesbrough College, said: "The college is now a national leader in the provision of education for young footballers.

"We have launched a football academy ourselves this year, delivering the football coaching and training on site, again in partnership with Middlesbrough Football Club.

"Plans are in the pipeline to work with the club to offer community-based education programmes, such as a distance learning fitness and exercise course."

John Barry, head of education and welfare at Middlesbrough FC, said: "In the modern game, it is accepted that academic qualification should be achieved alongside footballing excellence, in order to develop rounded people, not just players.

"We have a long-standing relationship with the college, and it is a measure of the success that 95 per cent of our young players gain a qualification to go alongside their football training."