Bristol Rovers Football Club News

• Nickname:The Pirates
• Founded:1893
• Manager:Mark McGhee

• Ground:Memorial Stadium
• Capacity:10,861

Rovers revamp youth set-up

22 Jan 2009 - 11:28:32

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Bristol Rovers have confirmed that the club is to return to a traditional scholarship system in a makeover of their youth set-up.

Football League pressure has seen the club bring their youngsters back to within their training facilities, rather than preparing them at a local college.

For the last five years, Rovers' 16-18-year-old players have been put through their paces by staff of Filton College, rather than their own employees.

A club statement read: "The move aims to bring the club back into line with Football League rules which ask for a greater investment in youth football.

"It will bring the youth set up closer to the first team but with its own Football Club-employed staff."

The Football League give the club around £150,000 each year dedicated towards youth team proceedings.

Seventeen of the club's youngsters have graduated through the ranks during the previous scheme at Filton, including current first-teamers Chris Lines, Sean Rigg and Mike Green.