Early trials for next season's scholars

Evo-Stik Northern Premier League Ilkeston FC are holding an open trials day at the New Manor Ground next month in an early bid to recruit new scholars for their thriving Academy.

The Premier Division Robins, determined to build on the success of their set-up which was recently given the thumbs up by education inspectors, are staging the trials for next September’s intake on Thursday 20 February.

Outstanding candidates will be offered the chance to join the club immediately. Although scholarships are currently offered to 16-year-olds on a two-year basis, officials are also considering the possibility of introducing three-year courses next season.

Triallists will get the chance to show their potential at a training and skills session in the morning before playing in a match in the afternoon, with Robins manager Kevin Wilson overseeing the selection process.

Wilson said: “We couldn’t be more pleased with the progress our Academy has made in less than three years with a steady stream of talented young players emerging to press for first-team places.

"It’s true to say that everything so far has gone according to plan but we are extremely aware of the need to keep pushing on. There’s always room for improvement and we must constantly strive to raise our standards.

“It’s a reflection of the reputation we’ve gained that we get inquiries all the time from people wanting to join us and the idea of staging a trials day in February is to make an early start with assessing candidates for next summer’s new intake of scholars.

"The majority of those will be school leavers but we also have immediate vacancies within the Academy and if anyone makes a big impression during the trials, we will offer them places to join us straight away.”