OXFORD City FC are hoping the second year of its scholarship programme will flourish and give the club a more professional feel.

In its first year the club took on 11 scholars and scholarship manager Mark Jones said he wants to see the two-year scholarship programme – which gives youngsters aged 16 to 18 the chance to join it on a full-time basis – improve.

It is part of a drive by the Conference North side to build up young talent.

Trials will be held on February 20 and April 2.

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The semi-professional side said the programme will give youngsters a taste of life as a professional footballer.

Professional sides, such as Oxford United, have a long history of scholarship schemes to nurture new talent.

Mr Jones said: “We want to improve the experience for young players at the club.

“They will be paid employees of the club, they will be at the club on a full-time basis, training and doing their education.”

“Hopefully it will provide a structured pathway for them through the development teams and into the first team.”

It will include sports science, PE and coaching qualifications to help them into a career in football or sport.

Mr Jones said: “We aren’t a massive club. We’ve been promoted to the Conference North now and we need to have more of a structured youth department.

“Nine of the first team now train three days a week at the club. We are trying to make it more full-time. We put this programme on and we are looking to improve it.”

Those taken on will receive full-time pay, daily training with Uefa A and B-licensed coaches, and the chance to play against professional clubs.

The scholars will also meet first team manager Justin Merritt on a weekly basis for practical and theory-based sessions on sports science and coaching.

Mr Merritt said: “The scholarship programme provides young players a professional football education and the opportunity to develop their performance and their playing opportunities.

“With high quality coaching, match play and the input of specialists we are passionate in supporting player development.”

The club, now in the sixth tier of English Football, are based at Marsh Lane in Marston.

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