Hendon Football Club have entered into an innovative agreement with Oaklands College and Boreham Wood FC that will benefit current and prospective players aged between 16 and 19. The agreement forms part of a network of deals between colleges and Clubs in the North and North West London and South Herts area that will benefit anything up to 250 young men each year.

Led by Boreham Wood FC and Oaklands College, the Football Clubs, Colleges and schools will work collaboratively, to ensure the youngsters on the scheme will receive not just a football education but a programme of study leading to academic or vocational qualifications that should help them to get off on the right foot when they enter the world of work.

Similar football led schemes where one Club works with a single College are prevalent around the country but this scheme is believed to be the first of its kind in that a group of Clubs, schools and Colleges will be working collaboratively to help individual youngsters to become the best they can be, not just in football but in the wider world. In fact the success rate on both the education and football front, since Boreham Wood and Oaklands College put their scheme into practice has made this arguably the largest and most successful in the country.

Trials for young players wishing to join this innovative scheme are soon to be arranged and will take place at Boreham Wood's Broughinge Park ground. Any interested parties aged between 16 and 19 years old are asked to contact Hendon FC before Thursday 25 August leaving your name and contact telephone number by email at admin@hendonfc.net or by telephone 020 8908 3553.

Boreham Wood FC Chairman Danny Hunter, who has pioneered this venture from its conception over the last 5 years, said, "It is important to emphasise that this very special collaboration, encompasses 250 students and footballers, between the ages of 16 and 19 years old, plus 3 colleges spread over 5 campuses, 4 schools and 3 like-minded local football clubs. In this day and age, to bring so many organisations together is a remarkable feat.

"Both myself and Mark Dawe, the principle of Oaklands College, are thrilled that Hendon Football Club is now coming on board with us over for the betterment of local boys, both academically and in a footballing sense in their communities.

"I have long admired Hendon Football Club and have been friends with Graham Etchell, the Hendon FC Secretary, for a considerable time, so I look forward to a very successful partnership with everyone concerned, in raising the standards across the board both on an educational and football front."