A college which has already produced footballing talent for Oxford United and Nottingham Forest is now offering students the chance to show off their skills across the Atlantic.

Oxford and Cherwell Valley's popular football courses will soon give pupils the opportunity to teach 'the beautiful game' to children in the United States.

In just six years, the college's football development centre has become one of only five in the country to have been awarded an FA Charter for its teaching of both male and female students.

Its three courses: a one-year sports diploma, a two-year performance and excellence diploma, and a sport and exercise science diploma; are timetabled to allow players to train four times a week and play in an inter-college league.

So far the centre has nurtured the abilities of Garath McCleary, who now plays for Nottingham Forest, Matty Taylor of Oxford United and Andy Ballard of Blue Square Conference side Eastbourne Borough.

The prospect of links with the United States has excited centre manager Des Buckingham. He said: "We have recently teamed up with UK Elite - a big coaching company in the USA who offer qualified coaches the opportunity to coach in the States during summer breaks.

"All of this is free of charge to the student, with UK Elite picking up the expenses of flights, accommodation and everything else while they are away. And they also pay coaches for the work they do. Students get the chance to experience a different lifestyle while staying with host families and coaching very enthusiastic American children.

"They will be coaching up and down the East Coast - including New York, Maryland and Philadelphia. It is a great link that we hope to see expand over the next couple of seasons."

The college, which has campuses in Oxpens Road and Blackbird Leys, Oxford, and in Banbury, is now on the look-out for students aged 16 and over to join courses in September.

Mr Buckingham said: "The courses we run are equivalent to studying three A-Levels.

"They are a great way for young people, who are looking at going to university, to improve their playing abilities while also achieving a great qualification.

"They also offer the option to go straight in to the working world."

Application forms can be requested from Mr Buckingham at dbuckingham@ocvc.ac.uk or by calling 01865 550799.