Media team sponsored by Northumbria Print

Morpeth Town will partner with Tyne Metropolitan College (TyneMet) to help deliver the new academy programme starting in September.

The joint education and sports programme will be based at Craik Park and give 16 to 19-year-olds a foot in both parts of the course.

Around 60 youngsters will learn a trade – with engineering, construction or other vocational courses available, as well as A-levels – while developing their football skills under the expert guidance of Academy Director Nick Gray and his team of FA-qualified coaches.

“This is the only programme in this region that helps participants become better footballers while learning a trade,” said Gray, who is well known at Craik Park after leading Morpeth Town during the most successful time in their history.

“As a club, we know just how many teenagers love playing football, but we also know the importance of them gaining skills in the right industry.

“While the course will raise their playing skills, and it may prove the launchpad for some to make it professionally, it will also provide an important career back-up option.

“They will receive coaching from our talented and highly qualified team and get to play under the Morpeth Town FC banner.

“We have already seen a high level of interest from students to be part of this programme, and I can’t wait for the September kick-off.”

Students will play football for up to 12 hours per week, with the remainder of the week spent learning in classrooms and workshops at TyneMet’s Coast Road campus, where joinery, bricklaying, plumbing and electrical installation are all options.

“This course offers a terrific opportunity for young footballers to play the game they love while also learning a trade,” said Mo Dixon, Principal of South Tyneside College and TyneMet.

“The ambition of many teenagers means they want to be able to get better and better at football, but they also know gaining a professional qualification is every bit as important.

“With this new course, there’s no need for them to pick and choose one or the other or give up on a dream – they can do both at the same time.

“Morpeth Town FC is one of the region’s most successful football clubs, and I’m very impressed by the scope of its ambition.”

TyneMet will be our official and exclusive education partner until at least the end of the 2023-24 academic year.

For more information, email academy@morpethtownafc.com or contact Academy Director Nick Gray on 07779 273 675.