With the future emphasis firmly placed on generating talent from within its own ranks and building on its excellent junior set up, the Nailers have developed a new teams structure for next season.

The structure has been designed to help young players aged from 18-21 to progress into first team football.

The club is looking for talented and committed players to play a part in this exciting new venture at three levels

Under 21 Team

The Under 21 Team will be a brand new side that will provide a link between the current Under 18s team, the newly formed full time Academy and the first team, to provide opportunities for players between 18 and 21 who are looking to push on into semi-professional football and beyond.

The Under 21s will play in the North Midlands Development Football League and prospective players interested in this new opportunity should get in touch with the club.

Academy

This exciting new venture for the Nailers will provide full time opportunities for 16-18 year olds to study for a BTEC in Sport whilst and training every day with a UEFA qualified coach as part of the new FA sanctioned Football Academy.

This is a superb opportunity for players wishing to have a career in Sport in areas such as a physiotherapy, PE teacher, marketing, coaching, fitness, business etc. whilst playing at a high level.

The Belper Town Academy side will play against another 10 Evo-Stik NPL clubs at their main stadia and also play in the prestigious FA Youth Cup competition.

There is still time to sign up for this excellent scheme by registering on the NPLFA website.

Under 18 Team

The Under 18s currently play in the Derby City League on Sunday mornings. This is an opportunity for players who would like to progress in football to the Under 21s and first team but are perhaps pursuing other educational avenues etc. rather than wishing to enroll with the Academy.

The Under 18s are also looking for players with the potential to progress to the Under 21s and further.

The Management Team

Managers throughout the club structure will be working together at all levels to make this a success.

Nailers first team manager, Jimmy Albans said, “We are committed to developing young players and this is the future for our club.

“If players are good enough they are old enough. If they have the ability, work hard and have the right attitude we will give them the opportunities to come through.

“Too often these programmes have glass ceilings and players cannot get the chance of breaking through into the first team. That will not be the case here”

Jimmy Albans and his assistant, Wayne Hallcro will work with a new management structure team that includes Dan White, who will be the new Academy head coach.

Dan played for Belper Town in their 2014/15 promotion team and is a UEFA B qualified coach and who has also worked as a Football Development Officer and Sports Leadership Tutor.

Wynne Garnett and Darren Worthington will jointly manage the new Under 21s team as well as an Under 18s side to provide links between the two. The management duo has managed Belper Town junior sides up to Under 18s for the last ten years.

In addition to cup and league success they have successfully helped nine players into scholarships with professional clubs and twelve of their players featured in the previous Belper Town reserves side.

As Belper Town Juniors head coach, Mark Alcock will also play an important role in the new club structure. Mark currently runs one of the Nailers junior teams and is a past Derbyshire and Midlands Regional ‘Coach of the Year’ and is also a UEFA B qualified coach.

Evan Garnett, currently a striker at in the Belper Town first team and an ex professional at Burton Albion, will provide specialist support and coaching for the Under18s.

What Next? If you think you have the passion, commitment and ability to join Belper Town FC at any of these levels, just register your details and the club will get back to you with more information.

For the Under 21s and Under 18s teams, players are asked to contact BTFC director, Dave Laughlin on 07768 010604 or to email the club at info@belpertownfc.co.uk.

Players interested in joining the new Academy should initially register their interest at www.nplfa.co.uk/register.php