THREE new scholarships are set to be offered to aspiring Paul Fletchers in Burnley as part of the town’s education revolution.

Town hall bosses have teamed up with the University College of Football Business, based at Turf Moor, to offer £3,000 a year for budding soccer entrepreneurs.

MORE TOP STORIES:

UCFB has been one of Burnley’s success stories, with demand being such that they have taken over the former Sparrow Hawk and Keirby hotels as halls of residence and are developing fresh digs overlooking Manchester Road station.

Talks between the local authority and college provost Prof Philip Wilson have now resulted in the tempting offer for those interested in becoming a football administrator or media mogul after their studies.

Councillor Mark Townsend, council leader, said: “It’ s great that we have this prestigious and ambitious university college in our borough – a facility that links to the only other UCFB campus in Wembley.

“Alongside the development of the UCLAN campus, and the expansion of Burnley College and the University Technical College, it’s a sign of how opportunities for study and career development have opened up in our town.

“Our partnership with UCFB has now led to these scholarships. They offer really significant financial help to local residents.”

Prof Wilson, also chief executive at UCFB, added: “Establishing these scholarships demonstrates the commitment of the council and UCFB towards raising educational aspirations among the residents of Burnley.”

Former England and Everton Ladies Rachel Finnis-Brown, from Burnley, has lent her support to the scheme.

The university college has offered football business degrees incorporating finance, marketing and media specialisms, with the course range now extended to cover sports business and coaching and a BA in physical education. Their men’s first team were also crowned league champions in their British Universities and College Sports division back in April.