IT is the move that will shock the footballing world - David Platt signing for Preston.

But there is more to this switch of allegiance than meets they eye and, in true football speculation style, nothing is confirmed!

For the former England captain isn't travelling North to resume his football career at Deepdale, he is heading for the University of Central Lancashire to sign on for a ground-breaking new degree course - in sports management!

He is just one of a plethora of sport stars who are expected to take part in the new course, run by the UCLa and the University of Greenwich.

Other big names thought to be joining up include jockey Richard Dunwoody and former cricket ace Desmond Haynes.

Alan France, dean of faculty at the Lancashire Business School, part of the UCLa, revealed what was attracting sport celebrities to the town.

He said: "The course we are promoting is in sports management and is designed to give professional sportsmen and women the skills they need to further their careers once their days of participating are over.

"We will teach them business skills so they know how to run their own firms, as well as the know-how to be able to handle the press and handle coaching.

"This should take away the element of the unknown which can bother many athletes as they reach the end of their career."

The course will be broadcast on the Sky TV satellite network to enable busy professionals to combine studies and their work. Preston North End manager David Moyes is the first definite student to sign up.

A total of 26 students are expected to join the course, officially launched today in Greenwich.

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