Wellington Amateurs to join up with TCAT
Telford College of Arts & Technology's new partnership with Wellington Amateurs will provide learners with the opportunity to play for both teams.
It means students who display exceptional football talent while studying and playing for TCAT will be able to represent Wellington Amateurs' new under-21 side.
They can then possibly progress to the first team, which plays in the West Midlands League Premier Division.
The partnership's aim is to develop highly-skilled footballers while providing students a complete pathway for development in football as they expand their skills and technical ability while they study.
Joe Bates, from TCAT said: "It is vitally important that as a college we offer as many ways for our learners to progress as possible.
"This partnership gives young people the opportunity to play football with a recognised and well run community club while gaining a qualification that may help them achieve their goals in the future."
The partnership will also see all of Wellington Amateurs' junior teams play their home fixtures at the TCAT sports complex from next season.
Chairman Dave Gregory said: "I'm really excited about this new partnership with the college.
"We are delighted that from next season all of our teams, right through from our under-8s to senior men's team, will train at the college's top-class sports facilities.
"As well as this, our junior teams through to our new Under 21 team, who have entered the new Mercian Under-21 league will play all home fixtures at the college.
"We are also keen to develop a strong ladies team which we will be working closely with the college to promote."
Wellington Amateurs is one of the county's longest established football teams, playing continuously since the 1950-51 season, and the first-team enjoyed a strong end to last season to avoid relegation.
The club presently plays at the Wickes Stadium in Oakengates and has strong links with the community, having established a junior section eight years ago and now runs 10 junior teams.
For more information about sports courses at TCAT – including its latest exciting link-up with Wolverhampton Wanderers FC – visit the college website www.tcat.ac.uk or call 01952 642 237 for more information.
