The three year national initiative, which is fronted by The FA’s Head of Football Development Sir Trevor Brooking, aims to provide specialist coaching in fundamental movement skills and football techniques for children in the 5-11 age group across 12 pilot counties.

The Lancashire programme was launched at Ewood Park in September of last year and saw Blackburn Rovers and England U21 striker, Matt Derbyshire, teaming up with Lancashire FA coaches and local children for a day of skills and drills.

Lancashire FA have recruited six coaches for the programme and Regional Coach Development Manager for the North West, Roger Davies, is pleased with their initial impact but also recognises the huge task ahead to effect a positive change: “The team of skills coaches in Lancashire have made an encouraging start to their work in and around the county.

“However this is only the very beginning of a longer term vision for the development of young footballers. We need more people to take an interest in the skills programme and help us spread the message.”

There are currently FA Skills Development Centres in Barrow-in-Furness, Lancaster, Preston, Blackpool, Wigan, Burnley, Blackburn, Rochdale and Bury.

For more information on the project please log onto thefa.com/skills or contact Lancashire Skills Team Leader Paul Bright at paul.bright@thefa.com or contact Lancashire FA on 01772 624000.