Ian Sharp believes that several players from the College's popular football courses could make an impact at Giant Axe this season after the club and the college agreed a formal partnership.

As well as Morecambe FC, the college will direct players to Lancaster City with a view to them featuring in the club's Under 18, reserve and even first team.

Mr Sharp said: "We have always encouraged local talent. Last year we had six or seven local lads in the team and they did really well.

"We are hoping that with the academy on board, we can bring in four or five into the first team.

"We want to integrate everything at the football club, right through from the juniors to the first team. The link with the academy will mean we can assess players and bring them into our teams.

"With the budget we have anything that comes in from the locality can only be good for the club.

"Last year was about stability but this year we are on the up again and looking to be in the top five.

"With the set-up we have got, the players that are coming through and the signings that are going to materialise in the next few weeks, the play-offs have to be the aim."

Lancaster and Morecambe College's football courses have proved extremely popular, attracting talent from across the North West and feeding several players into the Christie Park first team, including current Lancaster player Michael Stringfellow.

Now the footballers will get the chance to play at Giant Axe as well after the link was agreed with Lancaster City.

Iain Parkinson, from the college, said: "The quality of player we have is massive and we want them to play locally. It is not in competition with what we do with Morecambe, it is feeding junior players down here as well.

"We had nearly 60 lads at our Development Centre last year and this year's entry is the best we have ever had.

"Hopefully we can get as many as possible to play to support our lads and for the benefit of Lancaster City Football Club."

Coach Gary Kelly agreed: "We have a lot of players that don't go to Morecambe, they end up in the North West Counties, Northern Premier or Conference.

"We have players like Jonathon Smith at Forest Green Rovers and Shaun Gray at Fleetwood Town."

The college have also shown their commitment to City by signing up to several sponsorship packages, including joining the K Club to have a chance of sponsoring the team's shirts.

The draw for the shirt sponsorship will take place on August 1.
There are limited places still available. Call Mick Hoyle on 382238.