PLANNING for Warrington Town to turn full-time received a boost this week thanks to their academy team winning their first piece of silverware.

The cup victory is now set to provide a further fillip to Town’s introduction of a second academy side next season as the club continues to prepare for the future by making structural changes beneath first-team level.

As well as adding a second academy side into the league’s full-time education and football programme for 16 to 18-year-olds, there will also be changes to Town’s reserves set-up as it moves towards becoming a development/under 23s side to further support the first team.

The second academy will also be led by former Everton and Blackpool professional Keith Southern, who took charge at the start of last season.

The educational element will be led by Mark Baker.

Next-step courses will also be explored for students who graduate after their two years with the club.

As part of these changes, the decision has been made to dissolve the club’s youth team which played in the North West Youth Alliance Premier Division.

Club chairman Toby Macormac said: “I have made a few decisions to change and improve the structure of the club below the first team.

“This extension to the academy will provide us an extra opportunity to develop young players of our own and provide a platform for the club to build on for when it eventually turns full-time itself so that the transition is seamless.

“I’d like to put on record my thanks to those that helped in the Youth Alliance section, and those players are still covered by the junior section and there is also the option to sign up for the academy.

“The development of players now sits with our reserve side which through a transitional period will become a development/under 23s team as we look to harness not only players in the town but also scholars and one-year professionals released from surrounding clubs.

“It would then become a solid support arm for the first team which some current squad members have been this season.

“It’s vitally important to the future of the club that the foundations are solid and regular changes and enhancements are made to move in line with the ever changing game and if we can be just as strong off the field as we want to be on it then it should only lead to a successful future for everyone involved in the journey.”

Front man Euan Woods was on target as Yellows overcame Matlock Town 1-0 in the Northern Premier League Football Academy Cup at the Bet365 Stadium, home of Stoke City, on Sunday.

Woods chased a ball over the top in the 57th minute before coolly firing past advanced goalkeeper Jordan Pierrepont, while Town’s netminder Josh Wainwright produced a magnificent one-handed save soon after to help keep the Gladiators scoreless in a tense encounter.

Town: Josh Wainwright, Joe Ruane, Arron Woodward, Scott Parkinson, Ben White, Owen Oakley, Aron McGrath, Colby McQuillan, Euan Woods, John Brown, Luke Brocklehurst. Subs: Josh Wright, Danny Hamlett, Taylor Thompson, Luke Fenney.