THE image and success of Worcester City's youth development scheme has never been better.

Five of City's academy stars, Gary Walker, Troy Wood, Dale Watkins, Nat Bulmer and Ben Walker, were offered first-team deals for next season.

Striker Wood and midfielders Watkins and Gary Walker, all 18, agreed contracts at St George's Lane, while full-back Bulmer, 18 on Friday, is on non-contract terms.

It is hoped Ben Walker will also stay on, although University commitments could prevent the tall centre-half from joining his friends.

Whatever Walker's outcome, a decision to reward the five teenagers with terms is yet another welcome episode for the development scheme.

Run in partnership with Worcester College of Technology for the last five years, the scheme has produced a stream of youth players that graduated to the first-team.

Liam McDonald was first to progress three seasons ago, later followed by Shabir Khan, Dan Parker, Lewis Skyers and James Smith.

Earlier this season, the scheme enjoyed massive publicity when Premiership giants Sheffield United bought the then 16-year-old midfielder Sam Wedgbury for an undisclosed five-figure fee.

"It's been a tough year," said former City ace Ray Woods, full-time youth development officer.

"But when you look back, it's going to be one of the most successful from a development point of view.

"It's the first year we have not won a trophy and that's always disappointing. But if you'd have given us the option of winning trophies or bringing five or six players through to the first-team, we would take the second one."

At the scheme, youngsters train every morning with Woods and his assistant Mark Owen, then spend afternoons studying A-Level Sports Science at the college.

Soon to graduate with qualifications, Worcestershire-born quartet Wood, Gary Walker, Watkins and Bulmer are heading to University later this year.

Woods admits the academy's success would not be achieved without the college's assistance.

He said: "The partnership is so important. This could not be run without the college and the funds to help us.

"We pride ourselves on being a professional outfit and the way we run things. We give the lads a sense of discipline.

"We have always sold the course. Whatever the boys put in, they will get out. This year's success is testament to not just these four or five lads, the ones given first-team opportunities, but also the other ones."

Chris Moorcroft, principal at Worcester College of Technology, added: "The partnership is excellent. It adds a great motivation to our standards.

"These lads have been given the opportunity to enter semi-professional football. We've given them a good education and training for life, not just football."

Towards the end of last season, manager Andy Preece handed Nationwide North debuts to Gary Walker, Watkins and Wood, while only an injury prevented Bulmer from earning his big chance.

The day all four fledglings appear in the same starting XI would herald a remarkable story, although each admit patience and hard-work is key to breaking through.

On Saturday, the quartet head to Lloret, near Barcelona, for a week with the rest of City's youth-team. During the two-game tour, they will play local sides Lloret FC and Penya Barcelonista.