Prestigious booking for first final

Founded in September 2014 to provide career pathways into the football industry and still the only league wide academy in English football, the NPLFA's officials say they are delighted to have booked the Premier League club's Staffordshire stadium for their first ever cup final on Sunday 28 May.

The draw for the 12 teams entering the new NPLFA Cup and playing in two-legged ties will be announced tomorrow (Wednesday 22). Students from across the NPLFA, along with their families and friends, will be invited to attend and enjoy hospitality after the competition climaxes with a 10.30 kick-off at the home of the Potters.

After announcing that this season's student stars would be taking on Port Vale in the first inter-league fixture of the 2016-17 season last week, an NPLFA spokesman said: "For the students to get an opportunity such as this is fantastic. The whole experience will be breathtaking for them, from the changing rooms through to the magnificent stadium and pitch along with after match hospitality.

"We wanted to keep increasing the standards of the programme which has only been running for 18 months after a successful pilot scheme and grown rapidly. We feel this competition and the final venue will provide an occasion both unique, aspiring and something to remember for the students.”

"It will not just be the players and management that will enjoy the day but also the parents, families, friends and the whole of the NPLFA football family who will be able to watch this special occasion."

Founded with the backing of the Football Association at five pilot clubs to provide career pathways into the football industry and still the only league wide academy in English football, the NPLFA is expanding to 13 clubs for the 2017-18 season in September.

Before expanding to 11 EVO-STIK NPL clubs this season, the NPLFA entered into a strategic partnership with Global Premier Soccer, the world’s leading provider of sports scholarships in the United States. A deal was also signed last summer to film every match students play in the NPL Youth League.

For the second year running, the best of the NPLFA's students will also be honoured at the EVO-STIK Northern Premier League's upcoming Player of the Year Awards in April when Welsh legend Dean Saunders will be handing out the accolades in front of more than 300 guests at the plush Brooklands Holiday Inn near Barnsley.

For more information and to see the NPLFA's latest promotional videos, follow the NPLFA on Twitter at @NPLFA or visit: www.nplfa.co.uk.

To apply to join the NPLFA, prospective students should register their details at www.nplfa.co.uk/register or e-mail info@nplfa.co.uk.

Images courtesy of the NPLFA and stokecityfc.com

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