Scarborough eye academy link-up

Scarborough Athletic are having talks about linking up with the town's academy set-up.

The club wants to help develop players in the area and work alongside the town's other club Scarborough Town.

Athletic chairman Simon Cope told BBC Radio York: "We just felt it right to re-affirm the link exists between the academy and us.

"They're finding local talent and if they're good enough they'll come through to us or even higher up."

Cope added: "If the kids are that good we don't want to stand in their way."

Scarborough Athletic have played in the Northern Counties East League for two seasons following the liquidation of the former Scarborough FC.

We pretty much concentrated in our first year in getting the first team up and running. But that academy still runs and is doing a fantastic job

Scarborough Athletic chairman Simon Cope

Cope said: "When the old club went bust the academy activities were taken under the wing of George Pindar Community Sports College.

"We pretty much concentrated in our first year in getting the first team up and running. But that academy still runs and is doing a fantastic job coaching youngsters in the Scarborough area."

Cope said the link with the Academy would work in tandem with the work of Teesside League outfit Scarborough Town.

"Scarborough Town was set up as a development side for the academy players so when they're too old to play in the under-19 team they've got a side that's still under the same guardianship of Mitch Cook and his coaches that can help them develop," said Cope.

"Not all players are ready for senior football as soon as they turn 19 so each year that side will still get players coming through from the Academy.

"Hopefully a season or two under Mitch's wing at that level will them prepare them for senior football either with us or other sides in the area."