SOCCER legend Cyrille Regis has thrown his weight behind the fledgling Midland Junior Premier League.

The ex-West Brom and England star was at St George's Lane for its official launch yesterday.

Worcester City director Bob Marley is the prime mover behind the new set-up after becoming disgruntled with the standard of football, and behaviour, in local county leagues.

"In my role at Worcester it quickly became apparent that the quality of games were not good enough for our teams," said Marley.

"This league is about expanding opportunities. Players and parents often travel huge distances to attend professional club academies. If you can't get there you are excluded. Our clubs will provide quality coaching which will help players from rurally isolated and lower income backgrounds in particular."

The league, expected to launch in September, is setting out to raise the quality and competition of football and create a pathway to semi-professional and league clubs for youngsters in Worcestershire and neighbouring counties.

It is aimed at 12-16-year-olds and 51 Conference and Dr Martens Southern League clubs have been invited to join the league with City, Hereford United, Evesham United, Stourport Swifts, Tamworth, Gloucester City and Hednesford Town among those already on board.

Regis has agreed to become president of the new league and has a soft spot for non-league football.

As a teenager he was spotted playing Sunday morning football in Regent's Park and it eventually led to a move to Hayes and then Albion who paid £5,000 for his services.

Regis admitted making the leap into the professional game was a huge step.

"It's an awesome gap and it was fear that got me through," he said.

"But it was great for me because I had a team that was playing well, but imagine playing with and against people that were your heroes and idols. It's quite scary."

"What this new league will do is, in terms of pure quality, bridge the gap between non-league and professional clubs.

"We've all seen dads shouting and screaming on the sidelines well this set up will give youngsters quality coaching as well as the best care from a physical and mental approach to the game.

"With its code of conduct and standards it will also teach them how to become good human beings not just good footballers."

"Not everybody develops at the same time," he added. "Football is such a game of opinion. Sometimes players lose hope and direction, then somebody comes along and picks them up.

"The non-league scene gives you time to get vital experience of playing against men which is important."