Talented local youngsters are to be encouraged to become professional footballers in the future with their home-town team, thanks to an exciting new initiative by Chesterfield FC.

The Spireites have linked-up with two junior football clubs, Brampton Rovers and AFC Dronfield, so that young footballers, who could make the grade, are identified early for the club's Centre of Excellence, which runs from U9's to U16's.

The two-way link-up means that the Spireites scouting network is significantly improved locally but there will be other benefits as well.  Coaching staff will be supported by Chesterfield FC, and any talented youngsters will be nurtured by their junior club until they reach the high standard required by the Centre of Excellence.

Centre of Excellence manager, Mark Jules, said: "This is quite a milestone because we have struggled to retain local youngsters in the past but these new links should help us keep an eye out so local talent stays local."

Mark Jules added: "We are delighted that the junior clubs, who have previously had links with Sheffield United and Sheffield Wednesday, want to work closely with us as they recognize this will help build on the good work we have already started at Chesterfield."

From next season eight members of Chesterfield's well-respected Centre of Excellence, the highest intake ever, will be taking up two-year youth scholarships with the Blues. 

The hope is that these latest new links will see many more local faces coming through instead of going to neighbouring football clubs, where coaching standards are no better than at Chesterfield. 

Chairman of AFC Dronfield, Graham Bearder, said: "All the lads are excited about this new link because it gives them the chance of progressing to the next level in football. To us Chesterfield is more like a family club and we believe our players and coaches will get more attention and support than is possible from some of the bigger clubs."

Chairman of Brampton Rovers, Sean Newton, said: "We are delighted to forge these links with our local football league club as it gives some structure locally to grassroots football and an outlet for any players showing real ability."   

An early sign of progress with youth development at Chesterfield FC is that two of youth team manager Dave Bentley's scholars, Jamie Jackson and Jamie Lowry, start their first season as professional footballers next season and are currently in pre-season training with the first team squad

.

Two lads who have made it, Jamie Jackson (left) and Jamie Lowry, with the management

   Chesterfield manager Roy McFarland said: "Supporters like nothing better than a local lad made good and this latest initiative from Mark Jules, his team of coaches and the local junior clubs, gives local youngsters, who have the talent to be professional footballers, something to aspire to."

Brampton Rovers and AFC Dronfield run teams in all age groups from U7 in both the Sheffield Junior Sunday League and the Rowsley League.