A SCHOOL in Darwen has teamed up with a nearby football club to help provide a 'brighter future' for its budding football players.

Darwen Aldridge Community Academy has joined together with Clitheroe Football Club to form a new partnership with its football academy.

Staff at DACA hope the move will give young students the chance to play more football and develop their skills greater.

The announcement was made at the academy's open evening on Wednesday, which welcomed Year 11 pupils, who will be joining the team next year.

Chris Worthington, football academy director at DACA said: "We're hoping it will be a boost for both sides.

"It should give our young lads a chance to play more football and open up some great doors for them.

"It'll be great for Clitheroe too for the young lads to have a go and will hopefully build a great team for the future.

"The lads should all be delighted with the news it should hopefully mean great things for them and DACA."

The Darwen school previously had a partnership with Chorley Football Club which came to an 12 months ago.

The pupils will receive training from Clitheroe staff including manager Simon Haworth who played for Cardiff City, Coventry City, Wigan Athletic and Tranmere Rovers in his career.

The team play in the Northern Premier League Division One North and staff at DACA hope the opportunities could see students given a chance in the professional game.

Mr Worthington said: "It's going to be run as a proper football academy and all the players will get help with dietary requirements alongside their school work.

"It's an idea we've been looking at for some time and we're delighted to get it all sorted.

"It's about building from the bottom up to help give the people involved the best chance and the best opportunities.

"Hopefully it will all make for a brighter future for everyone."

Clitheroe Football Club does not have a recognised youth academy and players from the Darwen school in Sudell Road will be training with the club two to three times a week.

Plans are in place for the DACA team to join the Lancashire Floodlit League under the Clitheroe name thanks to the partnership, as well as competing in the college league.

The team features 16 to 19 year olds who qualified for the team after succeeding in trials.