Football club and college to form partnership (From The Advertiser Series)

Football club and college to form partnership

11:22am Thursday 13th May 2010 in Wear Valley

A FOOTBALL club and a college are teaming up to provide better facilities for the community.

Bishop Auckland FC and Bishop Auckland College have pledged to work together and share resources in an agreement that will benefit fans and students.

The restaurant and function room at a 250- seat stadium planned for Tindale Crescent will be used for catering and hospitality classes.

Meanwhile, the turf at the new stadium will be preserved for match days when players train on a college sports field at Woodhouse Lane.

It is also hoped budding student footballers can graduate to play for the football club and get expert career advice from professionals.

Youngsters who play for the town’s St Mary’s Juniors FC, also partnered with the college, are to get coaching and more opportunities to develop.

Other students have been involved with architects in stadium designs and those learning about construction can visit the site as part of their course.

The college has also donated goal posts for the 1,994-capacity stadium, which will be complete by October.

College principal Anne Isherwood said the move offers students a chance to practise their skills as well as opportunities for the football club to engage with the community.

She said: “The college has always been committed to helping the communities of south and west Durham and to work in partnership with other organisations to give the best service to our students.

“This partnership will be beneficial for many of our students across the curriculum.

Students will be able to go on site visits and there will be opportunities for work experience in construction, catering and hospitality, sport, IT, business administration and more.

“We are very excited about the partnership and look forward to a long and happy relationship with the club.”

Terry Jackson, chairman of Bishop Auckland FC, said he was looking forward to formally signing the agreement with college bosses next Tuesday.

He said: “With both organisations in fantastic new buildings, the time really is right to form a strategic alliance. There are a number of opportunities we intend to explore with the college and it all starts now. We look forward to a long and fruitful partnership.”