City have partnered with Bottesford Town to create a development centre based at the impressive new 3G facility at the Barrett Steel Stadium.
The FA Charter Standard Community Football Club will operate with 25 teams ranging from U7 girls and boys, up to adult level football, while also including teams that are inclusive and for people with disabilities. Their first team are members of the Northern Counties East League Premier Division.
Players who display potential will be invited to City's Academy Emerging Talent programme for youngsters aged 9-14, where they will be assessed by Academy staff before potentially progressing further into the Academy programme. The development centre will run on Friday evenings across the 2023/24 season, from 5-7pm, starting Friday 8 September and is for players aged 7-14.
The partnership will also mean opportunities for coach development, youth team player loan deals as appropriate with their development and possible fixtures across relevant age groups between the two clubs.
Bottesford Town club chairman Anthony Reeve said: “Having been first approached by Lincoln City the proposal was shared with our junior section and the response from the chairman and coaching staff was that ‘this was a must for the club’. Our subsequent discussions have been very positive, with representatives from Lincoln City demonstrating professionalism in all areas.
“At Bottesford one of our main aims has been to provide opportunities for everyone to develop and improve their skills and ability in football and we believe this partnership can only enhance this objective not only for Bottesford but for the surrounding community.”
Danny Carter, head of sport & physical activity at Lincoln City Foundation and a former Academy coach at City, added: “Across the club and Foundation we are united in our aim to find and develop the best talent across Lincolnshire, helping children of all abilities to maximise their potential and enjoy playing football.
“As a charity we at Lincoln City Foundation care passionately about our role to create happier, healthier, and inspired communities across Greater Lincolnshire. This includes our involvement in this new development centre in partnership with Bottesford Town.”
If you are local to the area and have a boy interested in trialing to be a part of this development centre for the 23/24 season, please sign up to the trial event on Friday 18 August via the following link: https://www.participant.co.uk/lcfcset/event/2324_lincoln_city_foundation_pathway_open_session_u7-u12_-_bottesford_18082023
Additional trial dates may be added where required, but it is expected a significant number of places will be taken after the first trial date.