A YOUNG footballer who snubbed Reading for Oxford is just one of the success stories at United’s football and education academy.

Christos Hughes was at Reading’s John Madejski Academy, but swapped Berkshire for Oxfordshire after hearing good things about the city’s academy.

And he says he has not looked back since.

In September, the 18-year-old will take up a place at the University of Central Lancashire to study physiotherapy.

Now in its fourth year and based at the Rover Sports and Social Club in Roman Way, Cowley, the Oxford United Football and Education Academy helps about 60 boys and girls a year combine regular matches with academic qualifications.

Recruitment for next year’s intake will take place this spring, and Christos said he would recommend it.

He believed the course in Reading was similar in terms of training, but he preferred Oxford United’s focus on the classroom side of things.

He added: “My academic studies have really improved.”

Once at Oxford, Christos had to play catch-up with his new classmates, but completed a BTEC National Diploma in half the time it normally takes and passed with triple distinctions.

The midfielder, who has to get up at 6am to commute via two buses from Reading to Oxford, said: “It’s definitely worth the extra effort.

“I’ve had so many knee and ankle injuries that I got really interested in the physiotherapy side of things.

“On September 1 I’ll start a three-year degree course at university and I’m really looking forward to it.”

Coach Matty Brandish said: “We have got two courses here – the BTEC First , which is the equivalent of four GCSEs, and the BTEC National, which is the same as three A-levels.

“The First course is one year, the National is two years. Some students do both and stay with us for three years.”

He added: “It’s a full-time education course with two hours’ study and two hours of training each day, with matches in a national league every Wednesday.

“The students also complete their FA level one and two coaching badges and basic treatment of injuries.

“We started with 20 students in our pilot year and we are now up to about 60 or 65 boys and girls, with two boys’ teams and one girls’ team.

“Last year we had quite a few students go off to study at university and one who got a scholarship in the USA.

“We also get them out coaching in the community, so they are getting part-time employment and improving their coaching.”

Boys and girls aged 16 to 19 can find out more about the football and education academy by contacting Mr Brandish on 01865 776120 or mbrandish@oufc.co.uk Trials and interviews are set to be held in May.