Oxford United's brand new Advanced Coaching Centres are up and running across the county.

These new Centres aim to bridge the gap between the fun based evening courses which our Community department run and our Centre of Excellence. They offer coaching at a high tempo and along the same lines as the centre of excellence and are a stepping stone between local football and the centre of excellence,

They offer all players in the county who are already signed to clubs the chance to receive additional coaching from the county's only professional club.

Players between the ages of 8 and 15 have the chance to have a trial with the Advanced Coaching Centre, and if successful join weekly coaching sessions with The U's, and play representative games for the club. Unlike the Centre of Excellence the players can still play for their local boys team.

Mike Grant, who is supervising this new scheme is delighted with the way it has started:

" We had the first sessions last week in Witney and had two very successful training sessions, the first with the 9 to 11 year olds and the second with the 12 to 15 year olds.

"What we are trying to achieve is two fold really. It's a chance for good footballers to get even better, and it's also a way for us to monitor the best players in the area. We want to keep the local talent here at Oxford United and make them feel part of the club, and I was delighted with the way it went last week.

"This week we are starting in Banbury, Abingdon, Didcot, Bicester and Oxford. There are still places if any youngsters out there want to come and have a trial. All they have to do is get in touch."

Contact Mike on 01993 864700 or 07737 845959 for further information, alternatively, email mikegrant.at-oufc@tiscali.co.uk