Chris Beech had a day out with the scholar's this week as they explored their options should a footballing career not materialise for them.

"The LFE arranged a regional exhibition whereby they invited possible employers to The City of Manchester Stadium so that they could advertise to and possibly recruit people who possibly won't be getting professional contracts at the end of their scholarship scheme. Some of the badges on the track suits were from as far south as Birmingham and every club in the North West seemed to be represented."

"We were looking at, for example, The Marines and the likes of Marks & Spencer's and Selfridges. The Olympic Committee were there looking at transferring skills. People who perhaps might not make it at the age of 17 might transfer their skills and professionalism over to different roles with an example that they had of a handball champion who is now playing professionally in Denmark."

"This football club offer exit strategies to our 16 year olds and to the scholars. We always represent them with a good reference and character assessment to help them get on in the future if it isn't going to be in professional football."