Lawn works hand-in-hand with joint-chairman Julian Rhodes

Bradford City are giving young footballers the chance to win a year's place in their centre of excellence.

Players aged eight to 16 from Bradford's inner-city area can take part in week-long trials in July.

"We have done this to help the inner-city's development and encourage the spread of football," joint-chairman Mark Lawn told BBC Radio Leeds.

The trials take place at the end of July and players can register via the Bradford City website.

The closing date for registrations is Monday, 20 July and the club have warned numbers are limited, so places in the trials are on a first-come first-served basis.

Lawn explained: "There is a section in every city in the UK that struggles and doesn't get a real chance.

"So we are limiting these trials to the inner-city because they are not often given the chance to show their talents. This has never been done before.

"Every successful triallist will get a year-long contract for the school of excellence.

Bradford City youth-trial dates Monday, 27 July - Under 6's/7's/8's Tuesday, 28 July - Under 9's/10's/11's Wednesday, 29 July - Under 12's/13's/14's Thursday, 30 July - Under 15's/16's The trials will take place between 1000 BST - 1500 BST

"It doesn't matter if they are not good enough to actually play in the side. They will get the year's contract to train and work with us.

"This will help develop football skills throughout the age-groups in the area and help the players who need that bit of extra training to bring them on," he added.

"They might not be quite good enough now, but who knows how training with us will improve them.

"This is something we can run on a regular basis. It will be interesting to see how it goes."

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