RYMAN League club Needham Market is setting up its own football apprentice scheme.

The football apprentices will be aged between 16 and 18 years old and will have previously played football to a high standard.

Only 18 apprenticeships are available and it is anticipated that competition for places will be high for the first intake in July this year.

The important day for any prospective Apprentices is April 20, 2011 when the club will be holding a trial and information day at the clubs Bloomfields Ground, starting at 1pm.

First-team manager Danny Laws will be in attendance and he said: “We had a college football scheme here at the club, but felt the partnership was never close, the beauty of the football apprentices is they will be based at the club full-time. We only have limited places thus ensuring high quality and they will be getting paid.”

The apprentices will complete an Apprentice Framework that includes NVQ, BTEC and 1st for Sport Qualifications.

Ex-Northen Ireland international Kevin Horlock will be the apprentice’s full-time coach and he is keen to replicate the apprenticeship he had at the famed West Ham United Academy.

“I was fortunate to be taught the West Ham way under Tony Carr and will be hoping to give these players a similar experience, being based daily at the football club we will have ample opportunity to make sure these players progress.”

The football club has recruited a former head of sport at a local Further Education College to oversee the academic element of the apprenticeship.

For further information and to secure a place at the trial day go to www.needhammarketfc.co.uk and complete the on-line apprenticeships application form.