BURNLEY College has announced a new partnership with Nelson FC’s first team.

The partnership will see the club’s youth scholarships being made available through the college’s Academy of Sport

Nelson FC will also use the college’s Human Performance Centre as their main training centre.

The pairing was made official in a meeting between Academy of Sport programme leader Bradley Pates, head of division Karen Pates, Nelson FC chairman Fayyaz Ahmed and chief executive Adam Keizer.

Mr Ahmed said: “We are very pleased to have agreed a new partnership with Burnley College that will see Nelson FC Youth Scholarships available at Burnley College Sixth Form Centre as well as our first team being based there.

“Our youth scholars will get the chance to play in the Northwest Youth Alliance League as well as the FA Youth Cup and the facilities and education on offer at Burnley College are outstanding.

“It’s a huge opportunity for local young footballers and also an exciting partnership for the whole of Burnley and Pendle in terms of football youth development.”

Members of the youth scholarship will now receive professional coaching alongside a full-time academic course at the sixth form centre.

The programme aims to provide access to financial support towards training and competitions and gives members free physiotherapy, nutritional advice and a tailored physical conditioning and training programme.

Mr Pates said: “This partnership will give so many young aspiring athletes the opportunity to train professionally, offering them access to facilities and professional experience that may never have been open to them before.

“It’s an exciting time for local sports and we’re looking forward to seeing future olympians and Premiership players work hard in our Human Performance Centre and study in our Sixth Form Centre as they train and grow through the Nelson FC Youth Scholarship programme.

“This partnership will further strengthen the current football offering we have to benefit our students and local community, in which we are already working closely with Burnley Football Club.”