City boss Alan Little welcomed the Academy development as a back-up to players who may slip the scouting net.

Alan Little

"It's great to be linked with the College as it is important for York City to play a part in the local community," he enthused.

"This will help youngsters, who have limited opportunities at clubs, another chance to have a go as well as keeping up their education."

Equally enthusiastic was Adie Shaw, City's head of youth development, who in his first season has helped to oversee the club's youngsters though to the last 16 of the FA Youth Cup.

"It keeps York City in contact with those players, who have been given a second chance and those who might be late developers, who progress at a later age," he said.

"But it's important to make this the best scheme for education as well as the footballing side."

Shaw added that it would not be a 'cushy' number. "When we train them we will treat these students as we would our own youngsters. If standards drop on or off the field they will be dealt with."

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