Worcester City are searching for their next batch of talented youngsters for its highly-regarded academy.

The club is holding the first of three trial dates for young hopefuls on Friday, February 18 at St George's Lane, starting at 10am, with further dates set for Easter half-term and Summer.

Academy youth development officer Ray Woods and assistant Mark Owen are encouraging school-leavers who can benefit from two years with the club.

As well as football coaching, youngsters will study sports science at the Worcester College of Technology and come out with a qualification at the end of the two years.

Woods and Owen's target is to produce successful first team players for Worcester City. Liam McDonald, Shabir Khan and Luke Whittington have all come through the club's academy to appear in the senior side.

Anybody who fancies their chances or wants more details on the trials can contact Woods at Worcester City Football Club on 01905-23003.

Meanwhile, City's Football Development Scheme is also launching its forthcoming Soccer Skills Centre for boys and girls aged seven to 15.

The centre aims to improve all areas of youngsters' skills during first class training sessions and incorporate the many roles a player faces during the course of a game.

It is designed to support and help young players maximise their potential and is not aimed as a recruitment base for City's youth teams.

Taught by qualified coaches, the focus will be on improving passing, shooting, strategies, ball control, footwork, handling, positioning and basic techniques.

The programme will run throughout the rest of the season from February 21 to May 9. This 10-week period will be broken up into blocks of five weeks. Each block will incorporate development relating to the position the youngster plays in.

Sessions are £2.50 each week and is to be paid in advance to cover each block.

More information is available from City's Community Officer Andy Wilkes on 07702-194553 or 01905- 23003.