EVESHAM United is one of 20 clubs to express support for the launch of a new youth development league.

The Midland Junior Premier League will offer hundreds of youngsters aged 12-16 the chance to develop their skills against players from fellow clubs.

Fifty-one Nationwide Conference and Dr Martens League clubs have been invited to join the new set-up and the 20 already on board will supply more than 50 teams for the Saturday morning matches.

Worcester City director Bob Marley, the pioneer of the new league, said: "This is an exciting step forward and will plug a yawning gap between the academies at professional clubs and local junior clubs by offering quality coaching for players in their own communities."