RUNCORN Football Club has scored another goal for their future, by securing the signatures of two promising youngsters from Halton College.

David Ness, 19, and Alan Cowley, 18, both began studying towards a National Diploma in Sports Science at Halton College when they joined Runcorn's Youth team, after impressing officials from the UniBond League club.

David, who played for Everton until he was 16, has already broken into Runcorn's first team and is a key member of a squad that recently enjoyed FA Trophy victory over local rivals Northwich Victoria.

Alan, who joined the Linnets after impressing the team's coaches on a tour of the Isle Of Man, is top scorer in the reserves and is on the brink of a break into first team action.

Both players are further examples of the investment that Runcorn put into their youth scheme.

Five players in the current first team are products of a youth development programme that started three years ago.

At the outset the club organised the importance of linking with the college to ensure that its young footballers would follow educational programmes enabling them to fully develop their potential on and off the field.

Runcorn chairman, David Robertson, is keen to further develop the youth programme with Halton College.

He said: "Careers in football are precarious and highly competitive.

"As keen as youngsters are to focus on soccer and succeed on the field, as a club we have the responsibility to ensure that they are prepared for all that life may hand out to them.

"Offering young players access to courses which will prepare them for life and open up alternative career opportunities, are vital ingredients of the partnership between Runcorn AFC and Halton College."

Stuart Wesselby, head of Sports Science at Halton College, said: "Alan and David have done very well, and I'm confident that more students can follow in their footsteps.

We are hoping to strike up a link between the college and the club, which will offer youth players an education programme to supplement their playing careers."

For more information on Halton College's Sports Science course, or for general information on the college, contact the Welcome Centre on 0151 495 3315.

Youngster who would like to join Runcorn's Youth Team should contact Joey Dunn on 01928 560076.

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