RAY Woods has been handed the task of uncovering Worcester City's stars of the future.

The 35-year-old former City winger has been appointed the club's first full-time Youth Development Officer.

He will oversee their new-look youth programme, run in conjunction with Worcester College of Technology.

The scheme will see an intake of around 18-20 local students a year, who will combine daily football training and regular matches with educational courses at the college.

The scheme will offer the students a chance to progress through the ranks to first-team level at City, while giving them qualifications to fall back on if they don't make it as a player.

Woods, who spent two years as a player at City, is relishing the task ahead. He said: "I would like to think, with full-time training, that the lads will come on a lot quicker than would otherwise be the case.

"If they can eventually come through into the first team, that will benefit the club and give John Barton a nice headache."

City boss Barton is delighted with the link-up. He said: "This scheme offers that, where they can also follow vocational courses that can stand them in good stead."

College principal John Henderson said: "Both institutions would see themselves as being at the heart of this city. We want to see improvements and put Worcester on the map.

"We have had a lot of developments in our college but this is one of the most exciting I have come across."

Trials for the scheme are due to start soon. For more information contact the football club.