Nuneaton Borough today pressed the button to start what they hope will be a conveyor belt of talent at Manor Park.

The Dr Martens Premier League champions have launched their new soccer academy designed to produce players to help the push towards league football.

The club, who clinched promotion to the Conference – the highest tier of non-League football in the country – last week, have teamed up with North Warwickshire and Hinckley College.

Talented youngsters, both local and from further afield, will be coached daily in football skills but also receive an education through the college.

Students will have up to eight hours of quality coaching a week, benefit from specially tailored courses at the college and have a chance to make it at the top of the non-League ladder.

Borough chairman Phil Clayton said:

"The college will carefully monitor the lads academic performance and we do the same on the football field. Should they fall behind in either section then they will have time to improve on it. It will be a careful balance.

"We believe the academy can play a great part in the club’s future but also give youngsters a real chance to further their prospects on both fronts."

The scheme is being run by former Coventry City coach Jose Marques Ascensao and Dewi Cook.

The youngsters will only be selected on their football talents but their work ambitions will be looked at. The college will offer them courses from leisure studies to beauty therapy.

First team boss Brendan Phillips was at today’s launch and will be keeping a close eye on events.

"With us winning promotion it is vital we get the foundations right. We have made massive steps this season and given time the academy will prove a very useful tool for us and also of great benefit to the community."