Scholars seek to be vintage for Clarets!
THE SAFC Foundation of Light’s Football Scholarship Programme is celebrating further success after second years Craig Ellison and Lewis King were offered contracts at Premier League side Burnley.
Forward Ellison (Monkwearmouth) and defender King (Shildon) impressed while on trial at the Clarets’ Academy.
The pair signed their deals at Spennymoor Town’s Brewery Field, where they have become an integral part of the Moors’ youth team this season.
Ellison, who scored 21 goals in 28 games as Monkwearmouth Scholars won the NFYL Under-19 League and Trophy double last season, said: “I am over the moon, I have put a lot of work in for this and have to keep it up while I am there.
“It will be a harder challenge as it is a higher standard of football to what I have been playing but I just have to try my best and keep doing what I have been doing.”
Shildon Scholars’ captain King added: “I very pleased, it is a big step for my career and I cannot wait to get started and push on.
“It is a higher level and it is going to challenge me to do well.”
Both players, who started for Burnley’s Under-18s against Nottingham Forest in the Under-18 Professional Development League, praised the Football Scholarship programme and Foundation staff for helping them take the first steps towards their dream of becoming professional footballers.
King added: “The Scholarship has done a lot for me.
“It has improved me as a player both technically and physically.
“Shildon Scholars’ coach Alan Young has helped me a lot, made sure I played well, named me captain and ensured I progressed.”
Ellison added: “The Scholarship has helped me massively.
“A year and a half ago I was not the player I am now. The coaches do anything for you to make you a better footballer and constantly give you opportunities to get into clubs and achieve your dream.”
Coaches Young and Jamie Chandler, a major part of both players’ development since joining the Scholarship programme last season, say the duo deserve their move.
Chandler said: “I am very proud of them.
“They have both been model lads both in the classroom and on the pitch. It has shown through from the first moment they joined.”
Burnley Academy Manager Jonathan Pepper said: “The lads did not look out of place during their time here.
“We had been tracking and monitoring their progress for around two months.”
The Foundation of Light’s Football Scholarship gives 16-18-yearolds the opportunity to represent Sunderland AFC and gain nationally-recognised qualifications through an intensive football and education programme.
For more information email wayne.walls@foundationoflight.co. uk or call 0191 551 5067.