RADCLIFFE FC have announced a major new partnership aimed at developing top local talent.

Boro have linked up with The Football Learning Group which will see the formation of new Under-18s and Under-21s teams, with players also having access to a full-time education.

The group has a new base in Bury town centre at The Square with more than 30 students having previously progressed into semi-professional and professional football at home and abroad.

Others have picked up skills to develop careers in coaching, match analysis and talent ID.

"This new partnership is another important step in the development path of our club,” said Radcliffe chairman Paul Hilton.

“It enables us to deliver a new level of player development using the best local facilities in an extremely professional environment. 

“Local talent studying at The Football College in Bury town centre will have a real opportunity to impress our first team management whilst representing the club in the league and importantly the FA Youth Cup.

“Together with our new partners we will also be building a new-look Under-21s squad which will see first team squad players playing alongside talented student athletes.  

“Talented players released by pro clubs at 18 looking for a springboard back into the Football League will also have the opportunity to play, train and study therefore safeguarding their futures through continued football development and further education.

“Our manager Lee Fowler will also ensure that local talent is given the best opportunity to succeed.

“The development and innovation at our club is paramount to our future success, so now is the right time to take our focus on youth and player development to the next level. 

“This is the beginning of a journey and we look forward to sharing our further plans in the months to come.”

The Football Learning Group facility has a match analysis suite, lecture theatre and boardroom, designed to provide students with a full-time education while also finding the playing or career pathway that best suits them.

Kyle Hall, director of football at The Football Learning Group said: “Although we approach student placement as an international concept, geography can be a barrier to local talent so it is important that we have a local pathway option for the best talent at a high level of football in the pyramid.

“This new strategic partnership with Radcliffe will be very positive for our college-age students who will compete in the FA Youth Cup at the Neuven Stadium with a first team pathway should they impress.

“The key is should they not achieve this breakthrough from a footballing perspective they will access our Player Pathway Programme (PPP) where we find a different club for them through our network.

“This can also include opportunities to access player placements at pro clubs abroad whilst studying a degree with us should they pursue higher education as a development option.

“We currently have students competing in Norway, Sweden, Iceland and Spain to name just a few, with Dubai being added to our portfolio from September 2021.”

An open evening at the facility at 2-4 The Square is being held on Wednesday, May 26, between 6pm and 9pm.

Visit www.TheFootballLearningGroup.co.uk for more information.