The trials, held over five weeks in April and May, saw 160 boys, aged eight to 16, try out for a place in The New Saints prestigious academy.

Head of youth development, Scott Ruscoe commented: “We saw 160 boys in total compete for a place in the academy. The standard was extremely high and we had not anticipated how much talent we would see. Consequently we have offered places to 70 of the trialists.”

To accommodate the new members of the academy squads, TNS have recruited some additional coaches in the form of their first team players: Alex Darlington, Aeron Edwards, Matthew Williams and new signings: Scott Quigley and Tom Allen. The players join existing first team coaches: Steve Evans, Alex Ramsey, Nick Ward and Scott Ruscoe as they aim to build on the success of the TNS academy, with the ultimate aim of bringing more players through the youth system into the first team.

Ruscoe continues:”I don’t know any other football club in the country who offer academy coaching from nine first team squad members. The club is in a unique position to be able to do this, in addition to our other UEFA qualified coaches who all do a superb job of coaching and mentoring the young people who train with us.”

The trialists who showed promise but were not given a place in the academy squads have been offered a place in the The New Saints development centre, which will act as a direct feed into academy squads once players have reached the necessary level. Both girls and boys will be invited to join the development centre, which is due to start on 3 September at The Venue at Park Hall.

Ruscoe ends: “The academy will be bigger and better than ever this year and there will be something on seven days per week at The Venue for young footballers, whether it is a training session, a match or the development centre. We want football to be accessible to any local boy or girl who shows talent and interest in the game.”